I tried to cook my cookbook.

Ms. Betty Crocker was not amused.

See that look in her eye?

No golden roasted chicken sprang forth, no practically perfect pie appeared, no crusty wholegrain bread was in sight. They all stayed put on the cover, taunting me.

The charred cookbook had no flavor.

Then someone taught me to open the pages, read the instructions and follow them obediently. I learned to get my hands in the dough, knead with all my might, patiently wait for the creation to come together. I discovered the joy of opening my mouth, taking in the goodness, savoring the flavor.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

God wants me to use my senses to experience Him. It’s only in the opening up of myself to His Word, the working in and pushing out of the gospel, the willingness to wait for the Spirit to rise – only then can I begin to gain understanding of His goodness.

It’s only in the receiving of the Bread of Life, the swallow of commitment, the joyful discovery of nourishment – only then can I begin to see Him in all of His glory.

I can look at a cardboard picture of a roasted chicken,

but I can’t know the succulent, juicy flavor unless I taste the real thing.

I can observe evidence of God’s goodness in the world,

but I can’t know He is good to me until I take Him in.

“Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:2)