The Treasure of our 5 Senses

Seeing that we just past the Easter season, I thought this topic fit right in….to go along with the candy we receive and share on Easter, the eggs we hunt for and find, the new clothes we wear, the marvelous songs that center on the cross and the resurrection of Christ, and the smell of all the beautiful flowers which are blooming so quickly now. How can we not be thankful to our generous Lord for all these blessings…and especially the blessing of our five senses which allow us to enjoy all these wonderful treats. God is so good to us, isn’t he? However, too often we tend to live for the gratification of our five senses without any thought of an intimate walk with God. Have you ever thought about how your sense of taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell could relate to your relationship with the Lord?

We were created by God as unique and wonderful creatures and everyday we are reminded of his presence through our five senses …taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell.

We have the wonderful sense of taste which we use to taste delicious roast beef dinners, smooth chocolate ice cream and spicy Mexican burritos. Oh, how very good these things are ! Yet there is a difference in what each of us calls tasty, isn’t there ? And in the same way that food nourishes us even though it is different; the Lord meets us in our needs, where we are and gives us just what we need…even though it may be different from what He gives our neighbor. This sense points us to the truth in the words of the psalmist….. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” Psalm 37:4 Yes, the Lord is good, all the time, the Lord is good.

Then comes the sense of touch when you can feel the wind blowing across your face, the refreshing snow falling, the warm rays of the sun and the softness of a new born baby. All these things are extraordinary but they pale in comparison to the touch of the Lord’s spirit on ours And as it is reiterated in the Message in John 3:5 “When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and it becomes a living spirit.”

Now lets look at the sense called sight…..with our eyes we see the many wonders of God’s creation…the massive and strong Rocky Mountains, the bright and twinkling stars and heavenly bodies, the vast array of colors in the Autumn months and the fields of wheat and corn and all the colorful flowers of Spring. Yes these are all things of beauty but nothing is more beautiful than a clean heart and a right spirit which is filled with the light and the love of the Lord. 1 Samuel 16:7b For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” If we are to be used of GOD we need to be able to see more than what is on the outside.

Next comes the sense of hearing through which we hear the sounds of instruments playing music and people singing hymns of praise and worship to our Lord and Saviour. We hear the roar of a lion or tiger or the purring of a cat, the honking of horns in traffic and the still quietness of a sanctuary of prayer. WE hear a small baby crying, small children’s laughter when playing and our hubby saying ‘I love you’ softly at bedtime. Still one of the most thrilling things we are able to hear is God’s word being read. I think of how special it must have been for the disciples to hear him say “PEACE BE STILL” or how heart wrenching to hear the words “It is finished”. How blessed we are to have the Bible to read….for as we are reminded in Romans 10:17 ….. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And the wise writer of proverbs says Proverbs 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Lastly comes the sense of smell or discernment. (which I am going to borrow from a lady named Tammy Melton) Have you ever said “something smells fishy” or “funny” or “nice” To be able to tell which it is…to discern, if you will,  you must have the sense of smell. Close your eyes and draw in the aroma….coffee in the morning, freshly washed hair, a powdered baby, your spouse’s cologne, a garden of red roses…or a newly sliced onion, a month old carton of milk, a nearby farm, or a surprise from your new puppy You use the sense of smell to discern if the aroma is pleasant… or not so pleasant. The same way we use God’s word to help us discern what is right and true vs what is wrong and untrue. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.and Proverbs 3:21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.

Our physical senses are both intricate and awesome, but more importantly they can provide us with a mirror in which we can behold what each one means in the spiritual realm.  All together they provide a road map to a more intimate relationship with God.

God is immense, vast, and transcendent, but He is also intimate, close, and somehow knowable. And through the five senses we get to really know him. Oh TASTE and SEE that the Lord is good: Let’s allow him to TOUCH our lives, be our VISION and our DISCERNMENT. What a Truly Traceable, Trustable Treasure