When You Have Tasted and Seen, It Changes Everything
Today, as I sit
and reflect on the safety & survival training I had the past few weeks. I
am flooded with emotions. One moment I am fine, listening to music and eating
my breakfast as normal. In another moment, I am angered by other’s ignorance
and complaints at normal daily life. “If you only knew what others have to go through
for the sake of the gospel…what others have to do just to stay alive, you would
never speak the complaints your tongue has just uttered.” I think it, but I don’t say it aloud.
In another
moment, I see my shoe rack and am excited to be back to my normal life and have
my favorite shoes to wear. In the next moment, I am disgusted that I would even
think such a thought. I realize my time
in “captivity” was very short lived and nothing in comparison to those that
have endured the real thing. How prideful, how ignorant, how selfish we can be
as Americans.
I realize that
when you have tasted and seen another way, it changes everything.
It reminds me of
when I first came back from India after my first stay for a few months. I was
angry at the world, angry with people drinking their Starbucks, and people
watching Saturday morning cartoons.
“Don’t they know there is more to life than this? Don’t they know how
they can help others suffering worlds apart?” I had been warned of this
phenomenon, (Stages of Transition Shock) but nothing can really stop its
effects on your heart and mind. When you
have tasted and seen… it changes everything. When you see a child chained to a
fence so their mother can “work” the line, your eyes don’t forget. When you have seen a mother lift her dying
baby to your hands for help, your heart doesn’t forget. When you have seen the length of a line of
hungry children that your dollar can feed, your pocket does not forget. When
you have seen the hope and life Christ can bring to a desperate and hopeless
person, you are motivated to action.
I realize my
finger pointing and judgment of others who I call “ignorant” is only a
reflection of my need to love others more and see them through Christ’s eyes. Who
am I to speak? I just got excited bout wearing my “nice” shoes.
But then the
thought hit me “taste and see that I am good”.
Psalm 34: 1-14- I will extol the Lord
at all times;
his praise will always
be on my lips. I will glory in the
Lord;
let the afflicted hear
and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with
me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he
delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered
with shame. This poor man called,
and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord
encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them. Taste and see that the
Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his
holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and
hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children,
listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves
life
and desires to see many
good days, keep your tongue from
evil
and your lips from
telling lies. Turn from evil and do
good; seek peace and pursue
it.
Tasting and
seeing is not just about experiencing the negative, it’s about the positive and
the glory of God too. As I sat
reflecting today, my heart was stirred to understand the great goodness of my
God. Anger is a real response to injustice, disappointment, and heartache. But
as I look to God, I can taste and see Him as well. As I focus on God, there in
that moment, I am changed. Just as I can
taste and see the realities of life and hardship, so just the same, I can taste
and see the goodness of my God. And
there, in that moment with eyes fixed on Him, I can experience His love. His
Hope. His mercy. His faithfulness. I can be reminded of all that He is and all
that He promises. There in that hope and faith, I am (again) changed and moved
to adoration and worship. I am moved to
gratitude for all I have, and all God is showing me. I am motivated to continue to pursue the call
He has placed on my life, no matter the cost, no matter what is lost. I choose
Him. I have tasted and seen, and I am changed to press on.
For all those
that sit in prison,
For all those
that are beaten,
For all those
that are suffering,
For all those
that are enduring injustice,
For all those
that go hungry,
For all those
that feel hopeless,
For all those
that have never heard the good news,
For all those
that are dying without Christ,
I have tasted and
seen, and I am praying for you.
In light of God’s
glory, I am motived to fight the good fight and advance the gospel.
Philippians 3:7-10- But whatever were gains
to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I
consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage,
that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes
from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that
comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the
power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like
him in his death.
To a beautiful lady both inside and out,
ReplyDeleteI can't thank God enough for when He gave me you not just as a sister in Christ but a friend that has had such a lasting impact on my life.
I am in awe of the things that God has done in you and through you and will continue to do so.
Keep fighting the fight!
Love Always!
C.S