Never Order Vanilla

What’s Your Favorite Flavor?

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Ever been to Baskin-Robbins? They have such a variety of flavors including vanilla. But I can’t imagine walking into an ice cream store that promises 31 different flavors and ordering vanilla. As much as I order chocolate, I don’t order just plain chocolate in Baskin Robbins. Chocolate fudge, rocky road, world class chocolate—yes, but not just plain chocolate.

Life is Like That

Life is full of fantastic things to see, to learn and to do. There are things to enjoy and to play with. There are challenges and opportunities. There are goals to reach and people to love. It is a wonderful world, but too many step up and order a double dip of mediocrity or a sundae covered with blah or a half gallon of bland.

When I read the Bible it is filled with all kinds of folks who had a zest for living. They wanted to obey God and they wanted to honor him, but life was never boring for them. Abraham left his hometown in order to go to a brand new land that God would show him. What an adventure that was! Or consider Joshua and Caleb who demonstrated great faith in claiming the promised land when the rest of the people didn’t want to take advantage of God’s opportunity. Forty years later when Caleb is finally getting ready to enter the land he says, “I am 85 years old today. I am as strong as I ever was. Give me the land where the giants are. God and I can handle it.” No vanilla for Caleb.

A Life of Purpose and Enthusiasm

Jesus wasn’t a mediocre man. He lived life challenging thinking and encouraging enthusiasm for what was going on. Even the apostle Paul spoke of renewal in the face of physical limitations in 2 Corinthians 4:16. Remember the Mills Brothers and their song “Be My Life’s Companion.” Remember the words: “Be my life’s companion and you’ll never grow old. When there’s joy in living you just never grow old. I know a man who’s old at 33. No one wants to be old at 33.”

What does it mean to be old at 33? It means the twinkle is gone. It means you have lost the sense of wonder. It means you’ve become predictable. There is no spontaneity. The spirit of adventure is gone. You’ve gone from 31 flavors to vanilla. When we become so set in our ways that we don’t see possibilities or find excitement in a new challenge, when we have quit thinking ahead, then we have gone to vanilla.

You’re Not a Dog

Someone says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. So aren’t you glad that you aren’t a dog? We have to rediscover the zest for life. I have appreciated the way many of you still have a zest for living. You are not set in your ways. You see possibilities. You have the wisdom to temper enthusiasm but you aren’t sour on living although you have had your share of trials. You still get excited about what could be and begin thinking how you might fit into that.

Reclaiming Wonder

Children often have this spark of enthusiasm for living life. They are naturally curious. They want to experience everything. We know that babies will put everything in their mouths. This is one of the many ways they experience life. They have a sense of wonder that challenges us when we are raising them and reminds us to see things differently. I can remember getting on the floor with my kids and trying to see things from their perspective. It is a fascinating world when you have to look up all the time. Ever been to a new city and see things differently? We lose our sense of wonder when we always order vanilla.

So how do we keep our sense of wonder alive? Get out of our ruts and be more spontaneous. Drive home another way. Notice the trees and flowers like you’ve never seen them before. Write “I love you” to someone and send it. Hug someone. Watch a Pink Panther movie. Go on a picnic. Ride a roller coaster. Take a walk in the woods. Talk to God with your eyes open. Buy a water bed. Take that trip you’ve been wanting to take. Eat more ice cream. Just don’t order vanilla.

Follow Jesus

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