Taste And See

"There is a difference between believing that God is holy and gracious, and having a new sense on the heart of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. The difference between believing that God is gracious and tasting that God is gracious is as different as having a rational belief that honey is sweet and having the actual sense of its sweetness."

~ Jonathan Edwards

Just like any other relationship we have, we cannot have a healthy and complete relationship with God unless we have some kind of contact with Him. I can read all I want about someone by reading their profile on Facebook, and I can believe every word they write there with all my heart, but if I don't interact with them face to face, the friendship can only be so deep. Experiencing God with our senses and in our hearts doesn't validate our faith but it adds value to it.

Although Edwards uses the specific examples of God's holiness and graciousness, these two attributes could easily be replaced with any quality we know to be true of God. Whatever facet of his character we look at, there must always be a moment at which we not only believe it, but encounter it for ourselves.

So as you go about your day, week, and life I hope that you will join me in thinking about who God is and why we know Him to be who He says He is. I hope that our eyes are opened to the miracles and blessings around us that speak to his goodness, love, and faithfulness. That we would recognize the times He shows Himself to be our Comforter, our Protector, or our Prince of Peace.

For many people, our ability to communicate these personal revelations of God's character will speak louder than any intellectual information we give about Him. That knowledge is both necessary and valuable, but when we can attest to it within the context of our own lives, a new level of its truth is communicated.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

~ Psalm 34:8