Being Zesty

It really hits home now. The reality that life can be short and we really don’t want to waste it in the unnecessary fluff that does not bring meaning during this time of unknowns.

That is why I am declaring, that’s it. I’ve had it up to here. I’m done sitting on the fence. I’m putting my foot down. No more being wishy washy. I’m drawing a line in the sand. I’m going to be unwavering in following God’s will. I’m going to be relentlessly unrelenting in my faith. I’m going to stand firm. I’m going to be bold and zesty.

“Light, space, zest—that’s God! So with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.” (Ps. 27:1 [MSG])

Zest defined is having a stimulating quality; a keen, eager, and intense enjoyment. [MW]

On cooking shows, you see chef’s adding zest, which is a food ingredient that is scrapped or cut from the outer, colorful skin of unwaxed citrus fruits. Zest is used to add flavor to food. So is there anything in our daily lives that being zesty wouldn’t make better? Answer: no.

It’s zest that brings it home and elevates the ordinary. That’s where being relentlessly unrelenting comes in. I want to have my life of faith be so zesty that I don’t relax my efforts in showing Jesus to others.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11 [NIV])

I must be bold and stand firm in my zesty-ness.

“Now Lord…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness,” (Acts 4:29 [NIV])

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 [NIV])

Several months back, I had an example of being zesty handed to me like a gift. I was in the bread aisle of the grocery store. (This was before social distancing.) I was chatting with a Christian sister about something and asked her to pray for me. Now when that happens, that usually signals the closing of the conversation, and then you promptly forget that you said “yes” to pray for them.

Well that day she said, “Sure,” and grabbed my hands and started praying right then and there! It was a short, beautiful prayer that warmed my soul, and that I still carry in my heart to this day. It was so powerful, and well, zesty!

So I have now done that anytime someone asks me to pray for them. It usually catches them off guard at first, but then seeing their reaction change to one of awe and wonder, is God shining through and touching them. Sometimes it ends with tears, sometimes with smiles and laughter, but it always end with hugs. Now with the virus, we can still do this through social media platforms, or from six feet away. Nothing has to stop us from praying with others and showing them that we care and are in this together. Actually, through this time, I have actually felt closer to people even though we are six feet apart.

“God will continually revitalize you implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him.” (Phil. 2:13 [TPT])

“Therefore I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this. My champion is right here. Let’s take our stand together.” (Isa. 50:7b-8a [MSG])

So join me, my friends, in being relentlessly unrelenting in sharing your zesty-ness with someone, every single day. It is needed now more than ever!

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