Every now and then we experience a taste of something more.
Something that leaves us wanting.
Whether it was longingly shuffling by the first class seats, detouring through an exceptionally appointed neighborhood, or imagining yourself in the adjacent sports car at the stoplight, we’ve all experienced the feeling. And while we may have a little disappointment as we return to our more modest reality, this glimpse of what is possible also leaves with us a tinge of inspiration. Now knowing and having seen what is possible, we yearn all the more for it, unable to settle for what we once accepted.
One could consider this element of human nature ‘greed’ (and indeed I believe the line between it is rather thin), but I submit this exposure is a necessary part of understanding. For absent an accurate picture of what is achievable, one does not know what they could or should be striving for. Again, the line between covetousness is thin, but this understanding ideally propels us to greater heights.
As Paul outlines in the passage below, God provides us this taste of heaven to impel us forward.
“The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose that a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.”
Having tasted a little heaven, Paul submits that he can’t settle for less, and also can’t help but live with good cheer. In a showcase of the power of perception, he doesn’t allow his present conditions to disappoint him, but to serve as a reminder of the beauty that is to come.
What a wonderfully refreshing perspective to adopt. What if we could let go of our bemoaning and instead cheer on these opportunities to be pointed back towards the heavenly blessings to come? How much different might our daily attitudes be with this fresh approach?
The taste of something more we have all experienced is powerful, but we are left with the choice of how we apply it. Do we allow ourselves to be disappointed by present circumstances, or made hopeful by what we know in comparison is to come? As we undoubtedly recognize at this point, our reaction and attitude are truly the only aspects of our lives we control.