Faith of an onion... yes, an onion!

Have you ever studied an onion? Really taken the time to examine it? Onions are amazing. The outside is dry and brittle. Often, it's bruised or cut up. Not all that pretty. Onion skin doesn't taste too good either, like eating stinky paper.

Then you peel off the outer layer. Inside, the onion is perfect. No cuts, no bruises. Not dry or brittle. Perfect for use to improve the flavor of whatever it joins: a pot of soup, a stew, a stir fry, or even a hot dog.

Faith in Christ is much the same. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the old broken part is peeled away, much like the outer layer of the onion. We are a new creation, full of possibilities.

There's more to the onion, though. When you peel off the outside layer, you discover a beautiful food. But if you peel an onion and don't use it, what happens? (I know - theology from an onion... sounds crazy... but stick with me, please). The fresh outer layer dries out. It becomes fragile, unusable, easily bruised. A fresh peeled onion left to itself, just wastes away.

In the Christian world, it seems like the same thing happens sometimes. Sometimes, people accept Jesus as their Lord, filled with joy, hope and promise. Reveling in His love and forgiveness. But, over time, they drift away. The gifts and talents God has for them lay unused. They forget the joy. They forget the peace. They forget the hope. They dry up, get fragile again, and are easily bruised.

The only way to live like the onion is to be used - by God - to make a difference in the lives of people around us. We need to invite God in fresh, each day, and ask Him to guide us. We need to spend time in the Bible, really letting His Word soak in and become part of us. We need to let Him peel off the rough spots to become more perfect in Him.

Dear God,
Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to stand in our place and cover our sins.  Help me remember all you have done for me so that I might live strong and bold for You. Open my eyes to the hurt around me and nudge me to help. Let my life always be lived for You.
In your Son's precious name I pray, Amen.