Savoring

What is the best thing you have ever eaten? Has there ever been a time when every bite of food seemed especially delicious?

I remember eating a steak on a trip to Florida that was very memorable. We were served a small dish of ice cream with the meal, and instructed to take a small bite of ice cream before each bite of steak. This would cleanse the palate and enhance the flavor of the steak.

And it did.

The steak was extra yummy. Actually, “yum” doesn’t even begin to describe it. The flavor wasn’t fleeting or overpowering. It didn’t get old like the second bite of cotton candy. I cut the steak into small pieces to make it last longer. I chewed slowly. I savored. 

Then there are the thousands of times I’ve grabbed a quick bite on my way somewhere – a quick burger, taco or burrito on the go.

These contrasts were brought to mind recently when I reviewed a story from the bible. The Savor announces to the Apostles that that would be returning to Jerusalem and that he would be killed. Peter, in his bravado of what he assumes is right, responds, “Be it far from thee Lord.”

The Savior rebukes Peter saying, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matt 16:23)

The word “savourest” stood out to me. What does it mean to savor?

What are the things that I really enjoy? What are the things that make me happy? How do I like to spend my free time? Do I savor the things of God – or do I just like the flavor – or, are the things of God like burgers and fries? Too often I choose the figurative quick burger over the savory steak.

So my quest becomes – how to I change what I savor so that I only savor the things of God?  I think I’ll ponder that for the subject of another post.

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)