photo #3898136

"Taste The Soup"Guy goes into Olive Garden and orders the Zuppa Toscana, then waves the waiter back to his table. “Taste the soup, “ he says, and the waiter anxiously inquires, “Is there something wrong? I can get you another bowl right away.”“Taste the soup,” the guy says again.“Sir, is there something you want me to tell the chef?”“Taste the soup.”“Fine,” says the exasperated waiter. “Where’s the spoon?”“Aha!” says the man.Sometimes you have to do what’s being asked of you before you understand the reason why. A classic example is the blind man who’s asked by Jesus to rub mud on his eyes. No doubt he was wondering why in the world Jesus would suggest that, but, if he hadn’t done it he would not have been healed. In the Old Testament Israel was told to march around Jericho seven times. They were not told beforehand that the walls would fall. Naaman, the Syrian general with leprosy, was told to dip seven times in the Jordan. Gideon was told to get rid of his army. Noah was told to build a monstrous boat. Abraham obediently tied up his son and prepared to sacrifice him on Mt. Moriah. None of these knew the outcome ahead of time. They obeyed the command of God and enjoyed some rather spectacular benefits. Has anything changed? There are things in the Bible that may or may not make sense to us, but because God is the one commanding we obey without doubting, and God responds. As the writer of Hebrews put it—“without faith it is impossible to please God.” Or, to put it another way, “God is pleased when we act in faith.” So, in faith, we love our enemies, forgive those who victimize us, turn the other cheek, honor our leaders (even if it’s Nero), and give till it hurts with a cheerful heart. What happens next is up to God.