Taste and See
by Cindy Allen
Since my last blog, I went on a mission trip. I am not bragging because I know many of you have gone on lots of trips and many have made more of an impact than I did. Likewise, if you have not gone on a trip, I am not judging you. Until a year ago, I had no desire to go. This is less about my mission trip but more about “tasting and seeing that the Lord is God”. God is not asking all of us to go on a trip, or teach a group, or write a blog, or sing a special. But He is asking each of us to do something!
I went to the first informational meeting for our trip because I am the church secretary and I felt like I needed to be informed. But I walked out thinking I might want to go. My husband went to the meeting too and for a while I prayed that God would lead him to go. Then one morning while I was praying, God asked, “Are you trusting me or are you trusting Greg?” So, I filled my paperwork out and turned it in.
Here are a few ways God blessed my tasting:
Of the $2500 we each paid, I only paid $250 out of my pocket. The rest was given to me by precious people and groups.
At the beginning of 2025, we flew to Pennsylvania with friends. That is the first and only time I had flown IN MY LIFE. So, when I boarded the plane in July 2026 at the beginning of a 20-hour flight, there was some angst. But God answered prayers. There were no delays. I did not get sick (not true of the Pennsylvania flight.) My fellow team member let me hold his arm as we took off and landed. We were the first team in 10 years to visit our missionaries who flew on a certain airline that all made it on time, with all members, and all their luggage.
I had limited jet lag on either end of the flight.
I will stop there but the list could go on and on.
Now back to the topic, “taste and see that the Lord is good”. Imagine a bag of M&Ms. You can look at them and think they would taste good. You can watch someone else eat them and tell they are enjoying them. You could even hold them in your hand and get red/green/blue smudges (despite what the commercial said). But you can’t truly experience them until you put them in your mouth. Until you taste them.
Same with God. To truly experience all he can do in our lives, we have to taste him. We have to give him opportunity to prove himself. We can appreciate him working in others’ lives. Someone can give a touching testimony and really inspire us. But for us to experience Him firsthand, we have to do something. Step out in faith and see his goodness.
Like I said in the beginning, He doesn’t have the same expectations for all of us, but He does expect all of us to do something. It might be something scary, out of our comfort zone, something we NEVER thought of doing, but if we take that bite, um-um God is good! So, reach into the bag and grab a handful, then savor the working of the Lord in your life.
And just like you would do with a bag of M&Ms, share with others. Share the goodness of God. Share your testimony of how God’s goodness overwhelmed you and your situation. Invite them to reach in the bag and taste and see for themselves.
Prayer: God I am so thankful that I took a taste of your goodness this summer. Please help me to not stop there but keep tasting and tasting. Thank you for showing up and showing out in great and mighty ways, just because you want to. And Lord, when the testimony isn’t as uplifting, remind me you are still good, you still have a plan, you are still on my side. I love you Jesus and I thank you for loving me. In Your precious name, Amen
Scripture: Psalm 34; Psalm 37
Response: TASTE AND SEE then share
