“I hate pumpkin spice, yeah I said it”. And yes, I do own and proudly wear a t-shirt with these exact words! Anyone who knows me, knows my dislike of all things pumpkin spice flavored and my intolerance of all the hype surrounding this seasonal flavor. Interesting fact, did you know that pumpkin spice-actually has nothing to do with the actual flavor of pumpkin? While it’s true that I don’t personally like the pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavor, I don’t begrudge anyone else of their enjoyment of this seasonal classic. My issues with this flavoring are much bigger than just a taste I don’t prefer. They revolve more around pumpkin spice trying to be something it is not. Do we really need pumpkin spice flavored cereal, crackers, candy, cookies, dog food, etc.? Case in point, as I was walking through the grocery store earlier this week, a display of what appeared to be apple cider caught my eye. Knowing that apple cider is also in season, I thought nothing of it at first. But as I walked closer, I noticed this wasn’t just any apple cider. No, this was pumpkin spice flavored apple cider! Doesn’t that defeat the point of apple cider?! I mean, shouldn’t apple cider taste like apples, not pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice flavor, is just that a flavor so it is not out there adding itself to this and that. No people are doing the adding. Are we out of new ideas, is that the problem? Why can’t we just leave good things alone and let them be what they are? Why do we feel the need to change and reinvent pretty much everything? Pumpkin spice isn’t the only flavor that people like to play this game with, there are other flavors like mint, cotton candy, even gingerbread is making a play for Oreo’s. Can we not let Oreo’s just be Oreo’s? They are good, just the way they are!

And it’s not just food or flavors that we do this with. On a recent trip to Las Vegas a friend and I were walking down the strip. We were in town attending a Christian leadership conference, and our hotel just happened to be on the strip. This was the first time either of us had been to Las Vegas so we were just walking, taking in the sights while we were looking for someplace to eat dinner when she remarked “you know, it seems like all of Vegas is just trying to be something that it’s not”. For those who might not know, on the Las Vegas strip you will see The Statue of Liberty, pyramids, castles and the like. None of that is original to Las Vegas, all of these icons came from someplace else. And the thing is, Las Vegas is a beautiful city and has plenty of landmarks of its own like mountains and the Bellagio fountains that are amazing. This idea of being something you are not is everywhere. There are so many places that do this exact thing: theme parks, zoos, and sports teams just to name a few.

The more I thought about this idea of being something you are not, the more I began to wonder about what it is, in our culture or nature that makes us want to add into or change things that are already something else. What is it inside of us that makes us believe or think that the original is not good enough? This thought or idea really is at the core of my distaste for pumpkin spice! Can we not just let things and people be who they are?

We do it to ourselves too! How frequently do you find yourself thinking or saying I should be more like so and so, or I wish I was as put together as that mom? Or maybe, if only I could teach or sing like that person, then my life would be perfect. Us humans are too quick to forget that we each have been uniquely designed by God. I know it’s over quoted but Psalms 139 says “You created my inward being and knit me together in my mother’s womb”. And in Genesis we read that after God created man, He “was very pleased”. Do we not believe that God made us the way He made us on purpose? Do we actually think that God messed us up or left something out? Why are we so intent on continually adding in or changing what He designed?

To be clear, I realize I’m walking a fine line here because we are all flawed humans, who need to learn, grow and even change at times. There is nothing wrong with becoming more knowledgeable or physically fit, or working to become more kind or patient, or learn a new skill, etc. However, those changes can’t come at the cost of losing the person God made you to be. Let me give an example that might help explain. One evening during this conference in Las Vegas I was feeling pretty down on myself. Thinking I was too old and not good enough to give this writing thing a real shot. Without even realizing it, I had begun believing that in order for me to be successful I needed to be like the ladies I had been listening to all week. Those feelings of inadequacy took over my thinking. And honestly made me begin to question what I felt God has been calling me to do. Which is precisely the problem – I am not them! God never intended me to be them, that’s why he made them! I am not called to do what they are doing or reach the people they are reaching. God made me, and put me exactly where and when He wanted me. He put people in my life that I am called to reach and teach. I can’t and shouldn’t long to become anyone else. Yes grow, try new things, stretch yourself, follow God’s leading. Even get mentor that you look up to and respect. But make sure you are following God’s leading for your life not someone else’s. Don’t be like pumpkin spice! Be you!