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Are You Seasoned?

The other day, my house was quiet. That is a rare event. Grandma had everyone at her house. There was no end to the things I should do at home, so I got busy. Because I had uninterrupted thoughts while doing tasks that required no concentration, I started thinking about my good old reliable cast iron skillet. Not too exciting, right?

I remembered when I got my skillet. I was replacing my non-stick pan because the protective coating was chipping off into our food. (GROSS!) I started researching about cast iron skillets and how to care for them. I learned that a good seasoned skillet can take years to create. I already had one that was so well seasoned, it worked as good as any non-stick pan. This new one was not the same yet, though.

I now have had that skillet for 10 years. It’s still hasn’t developed that amazing non-stick quality that my other one has, but it is so much better than it used to be. The cooked on food comes off much easier now and I continue to do what I can to help the seasoning of the pan.

I know this sounds funny, but I was then able to use this as an analogy for my own life! It’s amazing where our ideas can flow when we’re uninterrupted, isn’t it?

Here is what I learned:

1. I am a useful vessel for God’s kingdom. Life sustaining activities are happening when I allow myself to be used. Who doesn’t experience joy when they eat good ‘ol fashioned fried chicken?

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Before there is a good seasoning on the skillet, the clean up is hard. Things stick to it and it’s hard to wash off even after it has been soaking for a while…

2. Before I develop a good “seasoning”, the enemy can stick a lot of junk on me and it can take a long time for me to be free from it.

3. I can become well seasoned and handle challenges better as I mature in my faith! I don’t have to allow the circumstances to get the better of me. I can keep focused and let the things that used to get me down just slide off of me!

I know this is a funny little analogy, but that is how my mind works. Be blessed today!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4 

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.