Tip of My Iceberg

When kids are introduced to new foods, they’re often cautious, hesitant, and untrusting. They’ve seen what’s been foisted on them before — vegetables, fruit, and things they may question the taste and texture of.

Even if the food is fun and sweet.

Thea was given a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar, which she looked at with suspicion. She knows she loves ice cream — it was one of her first words. Ice cream covered in chocolate? Unfamiliar, unknown, and questionable. Her cousins were urging her to take a bite, to see that her beloved ice cream was actually hiding under the chocolate coating. She stared at them for the longest time before tentatively licking it.

She wasn’t convinced.

Her cousins were urging her to take a bite, to just try it. With sounds of “You’ll love it!” and “It’s ice cream!” growing in volume around the table, she remained dubious.

All the encouragement in the world wasn’t going to get her to taste that ice cream bar until she was ready.

When the commotion abated around her, when the cousins had walked away, she took a tentative bite of the ear.

She broke out in a grin. It was better than expected.

Nobody was going to be able to convince Thea to do what she didn’t want to do. Even though it was something she’d enjoy, her suspicions kept her from a treat.

This is how many people see the Bible and God. Unknown, unfamiliar, and more than a little suspicious. A lack of knowledge and understanding can keep us from experiencing what our hearts long for the most–grace, forgiveness, and confidence that God loves us.

David, throughout the Psalms, spoke of the goodness of God, for he had experienced His grace and forgiveness. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8. It’s a valid experience to know God, not just a thought or hope. He makes Himself known to us as He pours out His goodness on us.

The prophet Nahum said it this way: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7. God is our sanctuary, a place of rest for our weary hearts and souls. But we need to trust Him to be who He says He is to experience such rest.

The Bible itself is full of truth that ministers to our hearts and minds, helping us understand how God sees us and the world. “How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” Psalm 119:103-104. Reading and understanding the Bible can fill our hearts with truth and hope. But we have to read it to understand the beauty of it–not just listen to what others say about it.

God’s truth is absolute; whether someone agrees with that doesn’t lessen His integrity. “The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.” Psalm 19:8-10. The words of the Lord bring life and hope, because real truth never ceases to exist. It’s the same today, yesterday, and forever.

Why is it important to give God a try? To understand how He feels about us? Because His love is greater than anything we can imagine. “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:19.

Thea needed to make up her mind about the Mickey bar herself. She had to give it a chance.

With God, His Word, we need to give Him a chance to show how much He cares for us.

He’s the treat that keeps on giving.