My dad loves to cook! Let me tell you, one of his specialties is — you guessed it — steak. Some good ol' medium rare steak. Some of it is medium well too. Anyways… I was at my parent’s house a few weeks ago, and my dad said, “Jordan, let me give you a taste test.” I didn’t have to think twice about that. Who doesn’t want a nice slice of steak before dinner actually starts? So I took a bite of it, and let me tell you it was heavenly! It was so good!

When he told me he was going to give me a taste test, my brain paused and went back to what I had remembered earlier in the week. I had been asking God to reveal more of Heaven to me from Earth. I’ve asked for a glimpse of it. And sure enough God has shown me many glimpses. For one, I see it in creation, the sky above really does display His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). And I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8

I've feared the future for a few months now, and I know that this isn't what God wants me to be doing. He doesn't want me to fear anything! He calls me to trust Him with all that I have (Proverbs 3:5-6). He has answered every prayer I've ever prayed. He has calmed the storms around me that I couldn't calm on my own. He has brought me out into His marvelous light. He has given me joy through Starbucks cappuccinos, silly friends, shopping trips, family dinners, road trips, church and so much more. And each day I just pray, I ask God to keep His hand over me. And I know He is, and He always will. He has been showing me more and more this past year that He is gentle and loving. He is slow to get angry and He abounds in steadfast love for us (Psalm 145: 8). That is the God that made the Heavens, the Earth, you and I. He is good and I believe with all my heart He wants us to realize that.

I tasted that steak, and I saw and experienced how good it was.

And I imagine Heaven will be so much more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend here on Earth. But we can taste and see that God is good. So I encourage you to ask God to give you a taste of Heaven so that you may see how good He is.

I think one common misconception that people have is that God is this angry guy upstairs telling us everything we are doing wrong, when that’s not the case at all. In scripture it says, “Our God is full of Compassion (Psalm 116:5).” He saves. He redeems. He gives joy. I’ve also learned that God doesn’t withhold anything good from us. If you are waiting on something from God, can I just tell you that he isn’t sitting up in Heaven dangling it in front of you? God is much more concerned about keeping you safe. He is much more focused on a joyful life for you that you may have not known about otherwise. You are his prized possession. And He protects. Consider yourself blessed. Because darling, you are. He blessed us. If God is withholding something from you, chances are He is protecting you in some shape or form.

Maybe that girl or guy isn’t the right one for you. Maybe he knows you’ll go down a path he didn’t intend. Maybe that college isn’t the right one for you, because He knows a different college that will fit you better. Maybe this new college will have certain people that He specifically wants you to meet!

God always has a plan better than our lives. You can bet on that.

He makes a way for us, when it seems like there is no way. He makes the plans, far better than anything we can imagine.

He has your back! Trust him with all that you’ve got, and I pray that we will continue to taste and see that He is good. Can I get an Amen?