The crackling fire’s warmth was welcome after blowing in from the blustery cold. Winter has come early with all the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and yes, cold of this time of year. From our first moments of life we experience a barrage of stimuli to our senses. As we grow and learn, we begin to ignore much of what we experience via our senses and only pay attention to extraordinary stimuli. But fully experiencing and paying attention with all our senses helps us remember and live life to its fullest. It is an integral step on the path to being well.
There are numerous accounts throughout the Bible of singing, dancing and praising God. Examples of tastes, sights and sounds abound. Using our senses helps us to experience, understand and remember. God wants us to use all our senses in honoring Him and living the life He has planned for us.
No everyone loves to sing or be demonstrative in worship. I understand, I’m a bit reserved myself. But singing out to God is an expression of my thankfulness and a way to honor Him. Ask my kids, I often rock out to KLOVE songs in the car!
David appreciated all of the senses. He encouraged us to use our senses to follow and trust God in Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
We can’t really taste and see God, but we understand David’s message. He’s imploring us to try God; try trusting and praising God who created us, loves us and is always here for us. Truly trusting God, we can be well no matter our circumstance because He is in control.
Jesus very often used the word listen to point out an important lesson. He wants us to listen to Him:
John 10:27 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
And as Mark described it, Jesus wanted the disciples to use their senses to begin to comprehend His majesty: Mark 8:17b-18
Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all?
Jesus had done miracles in front of them, lived with them and still the disciples didn’t understand Him. He encouraged them to really see and hear to remember all He had done and continued to do. Use their senses and begin to truly appreciate and understand.
We too need to open our eyes, sense our surroundings and know God is with us. Taste and smell the beauty, hear the laughter, see the blessings and feel the warmth of God’s love in our lives.
Instead of only seeing the cold and darkness of winter, let’s use all our senses to experience the joy of this life. Let everything we experience with our senses help us remember the goodness and love God gives us each day. Utilize our senses to give Him praise and thanks, understanding all of our wellness begins with Him.