A Jalapeño walked into a produce bin…

A jalapeño demands to be noticed. It’s bright. It’s bold. It leaves a mark. Can you blame a jalapeño for being a little full of itself?

A Jalapeño walked into a produce bin… there it sat at Gateway to Hope, surrounded by carrots scared stiff, potatoes that were couch-like and didn’t say much, and cool cucumbers who could care less.

The jalapeño couldn’t help itself, proclaiming;

“I’m the hottest one in this whole bin”!

Nobody clapped. Nobody flinched. The carrots stayed carrots. The potatoes slept. The cucumbers stayed cool. That kind of silence can humble a jalapeño fast!

From the quiet corner, a sweet pepper spoke up. “Being hot gets attention,” it said softly. “But being loving changes hearts.”

Jesus tells us to be loving. Deeply loving. The kind of love that doesn’t give up. The kind that, as Peter wrote—

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

At Gateway, we don’t rank people by their spiritual “heat.” We don’t divide the bin into impressive and ordinary. Every one of us, sharp-tongued or quiet, confident or steady, is standing in need of love.

So if you’re a cucumber, keeping cool, you’re welcome.
If you’re a carrot, still carrying dirt from hard seasons, there’s a seat for you.
If you’re a potato, plain and overlooked, you’re seen.
And if you’re a jalapeño, a little too fiery and perhaps embarrassed about it, you belong too.

Lay down your need to impress. Pick up the call to love. That’s how hearts change!

God’s family isn’t a hotness contest. It’s a table. And there’s always room for one more.