TASTE

Psalm 34:8 – TASTE and see that the Lord [our God] is good!

Have you ever drooled over a chocolate cake recipe? I have. I can almost taste the richness of the cake and the creaminess of the icing. As I absorb the ingredients in my mind I can imagine what flavors each one adds to the delicacy. The sugar, cocoa, milk, eggs, and butter all add to enhance the flavor. I dream of licking the beaters and licking the bowl, because I know I won't be able to wait for the finished product. I see the tall glass of milk standing guard over my plate and the glimmering fork in my hand. A little dramatic but true all the same.

Research has shown that vision can elicit the drool mechanism, just as Pavlov demonstrated with ringing the bell to cause his lab partner (a dog) to salivate. Our senses can "trick" us into thinking the cake/dog treat is actually in our mouth. But what's the actual difference? It's not in our mouth, it's in our mind. Only by experience can we truly taste what we so heartily desire.

I can read about God and His love for me, attend Bible study from sun up till sun down, and sing praise songs till I'm hoarse – but have I EXPERIENCED God. Have I really tasted Him, ingested Him, and let Him nourish my soul?

God is offering us a taste almost in the form of a command. He doesn't say, "Would you like to" or "How about a try." The verse is a command with an exclamation point at the end. Taste and experience God in all His fullness. Don't just stare at the recipe, listen to directions on how to bake the thing, then image what it will taste like . . . if only! Just Do It, as Nike so eloquently put it. There is a world of difference between the one dimensional recipe and our all consuming God. His Presence is indescribably good. And He's fat free!!!