Symbol: Visually
appealing food
Lesson: What
looks good may not always be good. We may be attracted to a person because of
their physical beauty. However, over time we may discover that their
personality leaves a very “bad taste in our mouth.”
Illustration:
Have you ever seen a table set with plates of exquisite-looking foods that look
scrumptious? You try a small sampling of the offerings and like most of it, but
then you find something that is so bad, you spit it out. I saw a movie once
where, due to the confusion and busy work in the kitchen, the caterer
accidentally took a can of cat food and put it on a plate, serving it as pate.
The resulting comic scene was hilarious.
The same goes with people we
meet. Don’t assume that good looks equates to good character. Becoming too
quickly involved with such people can be emotionally disastrous. Getting
married to such a person can result in a life of regrets.
In the case of foods you’ve
never had, the safe thing is not to be the first to taste it. Watch and see if
others like it. In the case of relationships, consider first what you know of
the person. If nothing, take time to observe how they treat others. Are they
sincere, kind, generous, humble, and selfless? At work, are they the “office
gossip” or are they hard-working and “keep their nose clean,” (out of other
people’s business)? If you are a servant of God, does the person you are
interested in also display spiritual qualities?
Notes: The
essence of this illustration was actually thought up by a teen named Marcus.
His clear and simple illustrations are always a pleasure to hear and he always
makes his point when he gives them. His appreciation for meditating on Bible lessons and principles is impressive.
