“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8
There’s an Ethiopian folk tale we read in my 8th-grade English class. A rich man bets his young servant, Arha, that he cannot survive a night atop Mount Intotto without clothes, fire, or shelter. If he does, Arha will receive his own farm.
Arha visits a wise old friend for advice on how to survive the freezing, deadly conditions. The wise friend says he will light a fire on an adjacent mountain: “As you watch my fire, think of its warmth.”
Arha does, and he survives the night. But when the rich man finds out that Arha watched a fire on the other mountain, he refuses to pay; the rules stated no fire, yet a fire was lit. The case goes before a judge who sides with the rich man. Arha goes back to his wise friend. His friend says he knows a man named Hailu who might be able to help.
The wealthy Hailu invites the rich man and the judge to a grand feast at his estate. As the guests mingle, the aroma of delicious food wafts through the party, making their stomachs growl and mouths water. Despite this, no food is served. The night goes on but still no food. The guests want to know what gives.
“Isn’t smelling food the same as eating it?” Hailu asks, his eyes trained on the rich man and the judge. Of course not, they say. There is no nourishment in smells. Hailu then asks, “Is there warmth in a fire so distant it can hardly be seen? If Arha was warmed by the fire he watched on Mount Intotto, then you have been fed by the smells coming from my kitchen.”
The rich man and the judge realize their error and humbly repent. Arha is given his farm, and he lives happily ever after. Oh, and the cooks bring in the food so everyone can enjoy the feast.
The story reminds me that looking at a fire isn’t the same as being warmed by it, and smelling food doesn’t nourish you. You have to get a lot closer to gain those benefits. To be warmed by a fire, you have to draw near to it. To be nourished by food, you must eat.
Kierkegaard drew a distinction between “followers” of God and “admirers.” Admirers stand on their own mountain looking at God’s light from a distance. They whiff the aromas of God’s presence but never consume. They commend the fountain of God’s love but rarely step close enough to get wet. I know what this is like because I often make the mistake of living just like that.
I also know that the closer I draw to God, the better things are for me. I don’t mean in an external way; I mean internally, in my spirit. I possess more confidence. I show more love. I have more faith. I feel more passion. I’m a better teacher, a better friend, a better father. I have peace in my heart. I feel alive.
In the Psalms, God says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (34:8). He doesn’t say, “Sniff and see.” The gospels tell us that Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). You can’t be baptized in far away flames.
But how do I get close to His fire? How do I “taste” His goodness? By following in His footsteps, not admiring Him from a distance. I can’t just own a Bible; I have to read it. I can’t just repeat a rote prayer; I have to talk and listen to Him continually. I can’t just claim to have faith; I have to live like it’s true. I can’t just stand at the door; I have to knock.
There cannot be two mountains in my life—the one on which I live and the one where God’s fire burns. I must leave my mountain behind and climb to the summit of God’s. I must stop smelling and start tasting. I must stop admiring and start following.
I must stop dying and start living.
Recommended Reading
Now that it’s a new year, maybe you’d like to try a new book! Please consider my latest work of Christian fiction, the inspirational gothic romance Shadow Point Skies. Book 2 is coming soon, so now is a great time to read Book 1 if you haven’t already!
Thank you for reading!
January was a wonderful start to a brand-new year! Though many people in my life need significant prayers answered, I know God is looking out for them.
Thank you so much for reading!
Great analogy!