Taste and See part 1
I really think we've twisted faith around. We say things like, "Have faith," and we mean "Hope really hard." That old saying, "PUSH, Pray Until Something Happens." Because it seems like we're always trying to get God to move. Trying to get God to do what we want Him to do. In a way, trying to make God in OUR image instead of understanding what it means to be made in HIS image. When the truth of the matter is: God already moved. 2,000 years ago on the cross He did everything He ever had, or ever would, need to do. He gave us His only begotten Son. His Spirit. Himself. He didn't just give His life FOR us, He gave His life TO us. So that we could have it. So that we could experience Jesus' abundant, everlasting, eternal, Resurrection Life as HE lives His own life in us, and through us, and as us. Because nobody can live Jesus' life except Jesus. We can experience it though, as it said. If we have faith. And if we understand what it means to have faith. Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1, "...is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It's not hoping for something. Its GETTING what you hoped for. That's what faith is about: Not trying to get something, but knowing what you've got. That's why Jesus said, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22)... because God has proven Himself faithful. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. And its not even a blind leap in the light. Its step after step of walking by faith. Trusting that you can get through what comes next because you've gotten through what came before. And here's where I wanted to get to today, and where I want to be for the next few days: Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." To me that the correct order--the Divine Order--of things. Like how you have to know before you believe. You can't believe something you don't know. And where does faith come from? It comes from hearing the Word (which is Jesus, which is love) of God. You hear that Word, you know that Word, and then you can have faith in that Word. Even as a child I found it interesting that God required faith from people... but never shied away from giving them signs and wonders. He didn't scold people when they asked Him to prove Himself. When they asked Him to give them something to believe in. He was happy to do it. Even time and time again. Remember Gideon? Who asked for one sign after another? Make the fleece dry and the ground wet. Make the fleece wet and the ground dry. God didn't mind. He was happy to do whatever He could do to equip and empower those in whom He required faith. So instead of just wishing and hoping... taste and see. Give God a chance. See what He's all about. See if He doesn't stand on His Word and make His Word stand up. Taste the fruit of the Tree of Life--which is the fruit of the Spirit, which (of course) is love. Taste it and see if you still have an appetite for anything else. Its like this: Once you've had the best you won't settle for the rest. God is the best. Love is the best. Once you've tasted it, and seen it, you'll feast on it. And, almost even better, you'll share it. You'll give what you've got because its too good to keep to yourself. Because its so good that you want everybody else to taste it and see it too!