Try before you buy! It’s a proven sales technique. But anyone who’s signed up for a 1-month free trial, a free weekend stay at a time-share resort, or 5 free meals from a meal delivery service knows that there’s always a ‘catch.’

As a result, we’ve been trained in caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). We are very wary of any sales pitch, and distrust anything that seems too good to be true.

That’s human nature for you. And I do not suggest for a moment that it isn’t appropriate. But I do suggest that it gets in the way of coming to know God in a deep, genuine way.

Perhaps you encountered a few ‘scoffers’ over the Easter season. I know there are some among my family and friends. They find our faith and the promises of God too simple. They are looking for ‘the catch.’ They listen to our explanations with the ‘Aha’ trigger halfcocked.

Perhaps this is the reason Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 18:3. Children are trusting. They are used to obeying those in authority over them, because almost everyone is in that category. They know there’s a lot they don’t know yet. And for the most part, they experience the world directly through their senses. Kids want to experience the world.

Experience is a great teacher. Many of us accepted our parents’ warning not to touch the stove top, but for those adventurous souls who had to experience it themselves – lesson learned *ouch!* And so it is with God. Many are introduced to God the Father and Jesus the Son in Sunday School and their faith grows from there. Many more grow to adulthood and need to test their faith – some with stories of others’ experiences, while some stubborn souls will only be convinced with personal experience.

Never fear, the Lord is totally up for that! “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” says Psalm 34:8. Take me for a test-spin says God. Read the stories of the patriarchs, prophets and apostles in the Bible and see the mighty miracles I performed, says the Almighty. That’s why they were written! The Apostle John tells us “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” John 20:30-31. Check out books on the saints, martyrs and the history of the church and see the wonders I continued and still continue to do. Listen to the testimonials and witness of the members of your community. Every faithful believer has a story to tell. And if that still isn’t enough to convince you, pray. I often answers sincere prayers of seekers, says the God of the Universe.

What’s the harm in ‘tasting and seeing” anyway? You won’t end up with a streaming service subscription that never ends, or ‘free’ meals that cost more than a trip to a restaurant. You don’t even have to endure an endless sales presentation – maybe just a short sermon by Pastor Bill. 😊 But the experience can have eternal consequences. As Nichole Nordeman asks in her song “What If,”

But what if you're wrong?

What if there's more?

What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He's more than enough?

What if it's love?

If you ‘taste and see’ and have an experience of the Lord and His love and goodness, it will change your life forever. There will be no turning back. You will have found the Truth we all search for. A simple, sincere prayer can open Heaven’s door for you, take away your burden of guilt and shame, and get you adopted into the family of God. Does it sound too good to be true? Yes! But it’s true nevertheless!

Try it, you’ll like it -- taste and see!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

Welcome to the family,

Jen

**If there's someone who needs to read this, forward it to them now.