(This is something I wrote on March 14, 1989)
There on the table, sits a gift for you. It's a beautiful wrapped, very expensive, box of chocolates. Upon opening the box, you find a wonderful selection. Oh wonderful, you think, a sampler.
You reach out and after a long scanning, select one. Every so carefully, you place it in your mouth and begin to chew slowly. Your taste buds tell you that it's your favorite, a gooey chocolate covered Carmel. You continue to chew slowly as you want the flavor to last as long as possible. You decide to make the box of chocolates last as long as possible, so you will eat only one a day.
For the past few days, you have enjoyed each and every piece. Today, however, you selected a dark chocolate....oh, the aroma.....you place it in your mouth and slowly begin to chew. UCK!!!! You don't like what's in your mouth.... a chocolate covered cashew. You remind yourself that the chocolates, after all, where a gift and an expensive gift at that. So, despite the faces you're making and how fast you are now chewing, you eat it anyway.Did you ever realize, that God has given us a box of chocolates? No? Think about it. The Bible is like a box of chocolates.(An expensive gift at that as it cost Jesus His life.) It's full of the teachings of God. There are the teachings of God that we love and relish the flavor of and seek out. Then, there are the teachings, that make us uncomfortable and we would rather not take, because it leaves a bitter taste in our mouth. (Meaning it make us take a good hard look at ourselves. Something we don't want to face.)
Just as the sample box of chocolates is well balanced with the bitter and the sweet, with favorites and unfavored, so too is the word of God. Chewing on God's word, whether it is that which we always receive or that which we try, but would rather not have it all the time, makes us a balanced person with God.
So, as the box of chocolates is set before you, receive it all and "Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8
2 comments:
What a "sweet" analogy! What a challenging truth. (I was pleasantly surprised to see you visited our garden this morning! Welcome.)
You are such a good writer. I still have (tucked away somewhere) the little encouragement you wrote titled The Gift of Lance. It still ministers to me this day. Enjoyed your Taste and See post.
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