That Taste - That Face

Have you ever watched the face of a child when they are experiencing new foods for the first time? A baby's first reaction to solid food is to push it back out of their mouth. As more baby foods are introduced, the sweet flavors of fruit are generally accepted with a delighted licking of lips, whereas vegetables may be shoved right back out with that same tongue. The corresponding looks on the baby’s face are amusing. Dancing eyes and a smile accompany the fruit, whereas a pucker and wrinkled up nose may follow those veggies.
As children grow they try more and more foods. Tastes include tart, spicy, and savory along with the sweet they have become so fond of. Textures have advanced from the puréed foods of a baby. The crunch of fresh vegetables, the softest of baked goods and the chewiness of meats all become a part of daily meals. Watching as each of these are introduced can be quite fun. The pucker and accompanying frown of a too tart juice can be quite amusing. The pure joy of the taste and texture of a new item that shows in the ear to ear grin can be truly heartwarming. The wrinkling of the nose that accompanies a truly unpleasant taste can be the funniest to see. All tell very much about which foods are accepted and which are not.
These nutritious foods are causing growth and continuing development in the body of the child. The sweet and savory, the spicy and the bland are all a part of the well-balanced diet required for health and growth. Children should never be allowed to pick and choose only those foods they like. Their bodies will suffer from the lack of nutrients provided by the other foods the child does not consider is pleasant to eat. Yet all too often, children eat primarily their favorite foods without being forced to also partake of those they do not like.

Spiritually there is a similar process to the growth of a believer. Jesus, the Word made flesh, referred to Himself as bread and drink. “Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (At any time).” (John 6:35 AMP) We can eat of this bread by studying the truths found in the Word of God. The apostle Peter wrote, “Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation” (1 Peter 2:2 AMP) We require the nutrition provided by God.

As time goes on we cannot remain babies. Upset that believers under his care were not growing as they ought, Apostle Paul said, “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it],” (1 Corinthians 3:2 AMP) As we begin to grow in our walk with the Lord, the milk of babies is no longer sufficient. We must come to know and experience the promises found in Scripture. “Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God.” (Hebrews 6:1 AMP) We rejoice in and rely on the foundational teachings and grace of God. But in this grace we must begin to walk and develop, learning more of the character of the Lord each day.

This deeper knowledge of God often comes through the bread of suffering. Some of the greatest lessons learned and the most nourishing Word of God comes to us through trials that develop perseverance. “Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-4 AMP) Do we savor the nourishing lessons we are learning in the trials or do we turn up our noses and attempt to spit it out and return to the milk? Jesus even spoke of people turning away because His teachings were difficult to accept. “After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.” (John 6:66 AMP)

As adults our tastes become more refined and we will find that we now enjoy the peace and joy that come from savoring every morsel of food that the Lord has provided for us. We still enjoy the sweet, and even an occasional glass of milk, but we also long for the tart, spicy and savory lessons and growth from the Lord. We cherish the foundational teachings of renewed life, but we yearn for the deeper teachings of an intimate, ongoing life with the Lord. Finding His will in fulfilling our role bring satisfaction regardless of the trial. In all areas we can, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

Accept the meal that is put before you today. You will grow strong and find yourself enjoying the deeper things of God. Dig in and eat it all.