Broccoli

Have you ever been cooking something and thought: “Wow, that smells so bad- I can’t wait to eat it!!”

I’m sure it doesn’t happen often. But it happened to me yesterday! I was making broccoli (one of my favorite vegetables) and happened to notice how strong the smell was while I was steaming it. I was excited to eat it because I was hungry (um, duh), and I know how much I love it.

If I’m being totally honest, it really was unavoidable, this smell-noticing. It permeated the whole house. It’s on par with cooking cabbage or brussel sprouts. (Which are also among my top favorite vegetables. And I love garlic. I’m sensing a theme here…sorry Jimmy!)

Anyway, while I was cooking this broccoli, I really felt the Lord speaking to my heart that there was a spiritual application.

I am like broccoli. There, I said it.

Maybe you’re thinking you should stop reading now because I’ve lost my mind, but I promise there is a point coming!

Raw broccoli on its own is pretty boring. You can dress it up with ranch, or a vinaigrette, but it isn’t yet amazing. I’m not sure it’s something I would choose if faced with a last meal request.

“Yeah, pile a platter high with raw broccoli please!!” Nope.

But put that same broccoli into hot water and several things happen.

1. It starts to stink.
– This is similar to me. When I am put in ‘hot water’ (a trial or tribulation) my first reaction is often to stink. I don’t like it. I don’t want to be in hot water. I may even tell people around me how much I dislike being in hot water. How uncomfortable it is. How much I wish I wasn’t even in the pot. That I wish I had been left in the fridge to rot in my own sweet time rather than face the heat of the water.

– This is not okay. God wants me to face trials in faith, with my heart surrendered. Not kicking and screaming and making a big stink about it. (Hebrews 11, anyone? They went through some stuff!)

2. It softens.
– This is also similar to me. I have hardness in my mind and heart. Sometimes this shows itself as apathy for people. Sometimes it shows up as judgment when I don’t understand someone else’s circumstances. Many times it is in resistance to things God is telling me to do. When I am put in hot water, I eventually soften. The Lord uses the hot water of trials to break down those places of hardness so I become soft, and flexible, and more like the Holy Spirit wants me to be.

-I need trials to soften my heart and mind so I can live through them with joy and be found unto praise and honor of the Lord. (1 Peter 1:7)

3. It becomes vibrant.
– Have you ever noticed how bright broccoli becomes in hot water? It’s like it becomes alive! The difference is amazing. It is definitely noticeable. The broccoli on the top of the pot that isn’t submerged looks dull compared to the ones in the hot water.

-This is how I should be in trials. My faith becomes real. My hope in Christ is being lived out. And that is a lively hope!! (1 Peter 1:3) It should make me vibrant. That difference should be noticeable. If we never experience trials, how are we to thrive in our faith? Adrian Rogers said “A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.” How can we claim to have a strong faith in Christ if we don’t become vibrant when we face trials? Lord help us!

Thank You, Lord for spiritual lessons in the weirdest places. Can you think of any other ways we might be like broccoli?