Taste and See

June 2024

   I was just planting some lavender plants and the smell of the leaves lingered on my hands. I lifted them up to my husband Troy to take a whiff. He said, “isn’t that amazing that God made plants to smell like that?” 

   And it struck me, our body’s senses are a way that we experience God. He wants us to use all of our senses to experience Him. He alludes to this in Scripture when He says: “Taste and say that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8 ESV). 

   We can look with our eyes and see the goodness of the Lord all around in nature. We can listen with our ears and hear the goodness of the Lord through music, the cry of a baby, or the sound of a bird song. Physical touch allows us to experience the goodness of the Lord as we are the hands and feet of Christ. We hug and lay hands as we minister to each other.

   Which of your senses is most meaningful to you in how you experience the Lord? Is it through listening to praise music? Is it through looking at nature? Is it by fellowshipping and sharing a delicious meal with someone? When was the last time you were amazed by the smell of a rose or lavender?

   Our senses are an avenue for us to perceive and know God, but they also present options and opportunities for us to minister to others. How do you think those around you would best perceive the Lord? We can use all of our senses, not only to experience the Lord ourselves, but to help others experience the Lord. We can hold the hand of a suffering friend and pray. We can take a steamy soup to a sick Brother. We can paint a picture of this earth’s nature that displays God’s nature; a blessing for others to see.

   Use your senses to take in the Lord’s goodness today. Use your gifts to share Him with others. May all of us experience God in a deeper and more meaningful way as we open up all of our natural senses to perceive and receive His goodness.

   “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
(Psalm 34:8, ESV).

   “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10,ESV).