Taste & See
The other week, my wife and I, went to London to meet some very good friends who were down from Yorkshire. It was a great meeting location.
We met at Waterloo and wandered to a restaurant near Covent Garden, taking in the buzz of the city as we walked. Good job we booked as the place was packed.
The waitress asked if we had any special dietary needs and so, for a bit of fun, replied that I couldn’t eat crocodile! The dear waitress was shocked and found it (to my delight) hilarious! However, my wife and friends groaned, as they knew my sense of humour.
The waitress told her co-workers, and it became a running joke the entire time we were there! It did make for good conversation, and it did appear to brighten there day! By the way, I have never eaten crocodile.
I thought I would try something different and I’m really glad I did. I had ‘Nduja & Burrata Meatballs - beef meatballs spiced with ‘nduja sausage in tomato sauce & topped with creamy burrata cheese. Served with fried potatoes, roast garlic & basil aioli, and it was delicious!
What are you like when it comes to trying something new on a menu? Do you play safe, or take the risk?
Recently I read Psalm 34 in The Bible. It was written by David (before he became the King) at a time when he was on the run from King Saul. He had to hide in a cave, and whilst there, he wrote this Psalm.
The first seven verses David recounts how God had helped in through his difficulties. Then, in verse eight he makes a switch and says…
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
After telling of his own experience, David challenges the reader to experience God’s goodness for themselves. In other words, don’t just go on what David says… you find out!
The images used here are to ‘taste’ and to ‘see’. If you have ever tried some new food or drink, and it’s good, it’s very easy to recommend it to others. The same goes for seeing something for the first time, be that a book, film or view.
In other words, your own experience matters, not just taking somebody else’s word about something.
I look back and can say, like David in Psalm 34, that knowing God is a good thing. Perhaps you will agree with me? Or maybe you don’t know?
Let me encourage you to give God a go for yourself! A great way to do this is to try Alpha, a course which explores the Christian faith. We are running this as our church, starting Wednesday 12 April. Why not join us? All the details can be found at www.hopebasingstoke.org/alpha
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader