Basil is one of many herbs that is so easy to grow that it can be grown in a pot on your patio, deck, or near a sunny window, in a window box, or in your garden, whichever suits your needs best! I always like growing it near the kitchen so I can pluck off the leaves to add to my favorite dishes. Most people think of Basil in regard to making pesto, but it spices up any dish, so try it in an omelet, your favorite pasta, or even minced and sprinkled on potatoes or meat.

 

When I use herbs like Basil, I can't help but think about our faith. Like our faith, a little Basil can make a big difference, adding not just a pleasant aroma, but also bringing out the full flavor of your food (or life :-) In Matthew 5:13, Jesus compares our faith to salt, indicating that it must be fresh and alive in order to make a difference. In Matthew 5:14, He continues on, saying that our faith is not just like a spice, but it is also like light, the light of the world. When I think of light, I recognize that where there is light, there cannot be darkness, the light dispels the darkness and erases the shadows. When my sin is exposed to the light, I must face it and deal with it, which is always for my good and God's glory!

 

So, as you try out some new recipes and mix in some Basil or other spices, reflect on your spiritual life: Are you a pleasant aroma to others? Do you add flavor and spice to other's lives, improving them and making their lives better? If you are a believer, is the light of Christ emanating from you or is it hidden? Unfortunately, as I reflect on these same questions, I recognize I am a work in progress, with lots of work to do and not as much progress as I would like. Often, I tend to be selfish, focused on me rather than the Lord. Jesus finishes His thought on salt and light in Matthew 5:16 by gently reminding us that our lives are about Him, not ourselves..."In the same way, 

 

Oh may it be so!!!