1. Stick to what you say. When you make a promise to God, keep it.
“I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.”
Psalm 89:34
“So now come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”
Genesis 31:44

2. Be willing to get stretched. Be flexible! We will be put in situations where our faith gets put to the test and we are pulled out of our comfort zone. Just remember who holds us together: the Lord.
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”
Matthew 7:25
“Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:31

3. Let your flavor outlast all the others! Our lifespan may seem long to us, but we don’t have much time to be a sweet flavor in this world. Let the fruits of the Spirit working in your heart be flavorful to those around you as long as the Lord has you here.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Matthew 5:13
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Psalm 34:8

4. Stick with the Lord. I mean, stick to Him like gummy glue! Don’t ever let go of his hand, as He will never let go of you.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”
Psalm 73:28

5. Gum reduces your appetite for junk food and excessive eating. Our desires for food often overpower us, so chewing gum can reduce that urge. Compare this to our appetites for earthly desires that are not so healthy for us, perhaps even temptations, like being hangry, that so quickly demand a response and fulfillment.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Matthew 5:6
“But he answered, It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4

6. Chew on the Word of God. When you are reading your Bible, really take the time to study what you are reading. The topic, the parable, the words of Jesus, the author of that letter or book… Gnaw on scripture like a dog gnaws on a bone! It may seem like there isn’t much meat there, but keep chewing because the inside is full of hearty goodness.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

Food for thought: Do you have the spiritual and physical stick-to-itiveness (its a noun) to be like gum?

Fun facts: 1. Walter Diemer invented bubble gum in 1928 while working as an accountant at a gum factory. He lost the recipe, and after 4 more months, figured it out again. It was less sticky and more stretchy than chewing gum. The only food coloring available at the time was pink, so that is why pink is the most popular color for bubblegum today. 2. Recycled gum is now being used to make rubber toys and containers.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Gum Wall in Seattle