Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8(ESV)
In January, my focus has been on flourishing physically. Drinking more water, moving more to get fit… All while connecting with God more through prayer.
Another aspect of physical health is what I eat. Pretty much everyone recognizes that the closer food is to the way God created it, the healthier it is. More chemicals and processing means unhealthier.
The real problem is that all those unhealthy foods are addictive. And, after all the chemicals to enhance the taste of those unhealthy foods, healthy fruits and veggies don’t always taste good to our confused palates.
via GIPHY
(Source: https://imgur.com/gallery/79pBBdN)
When we first taste something that is good for us, it is often uncomfortable or not our favorite. Then, the more we eat those things that are good for us, the more they taste good to us. We even start to crave them.
And that is exactly how it can be with the word of God.
When we first start to spend time in God’s word or in prayer, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. But if we will taste, we will see that God is truly good. Not only good for us, but truly enjoyable.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8(ESV)
Right before this verse in Psalm 34, one of the ways that we “taste who God is” is described:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed. Psalm 34:4-5 (ESV)
When we are afraid, we can seek the Lord. He will deliver us. We don’t have to wait for when our fears overcome us. The best way to grow a flourishing relationship with God is to be consistent about spending time with Him. When we don’t feel like praying or reading the bible, that is when it is most beneficial to take even a moment and read a scripture or thank God for something that He has done for us.
That moment of connection helps us to retrain our spiritual taste buds, breaking the addiction to the worthless things of this world and building our enjoyment of truly lasting things of God.
It all starts with a taste.
(Source: https://giphy.com/gifs/dog-butter-peanut-15pgvtioZsz6g)
Like a dog with peanut butter, one little taste turns to overwhelming joy as we taste and see that God is good.
Action Step: Let’s train our physical and spiritual taste buds at the same time. I want to take small steps to improve my choices when it comes to food. I know from past experience that I do not stick with drastic changes to diet. But any time that I can switch out an unhealthy choice and eat a healthy one instead is a win. Since I was a little girl, I have had a habit of praying before I eat. When I do that this week, I want to really focus on tasting not just healthy choices physically, but also God’s goodness and presence in my life. Are you with me?
Dear God, help us to taste and see that You are good. Thank You that You never leave us alone. Help us to make wise choices in what we put into our physical bodies and our spiritual beings. Train our taste buds to crave those things that are truly good for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.