A Slice of Watermelon

T

he mere mention of the word was enough to cause every kid in the neighborhood to abandon his activity and come running at full gallop.  All of a sudden, saving the world from the forces of evil, laying siege to an imaginary castle, climbing to the perilous summit of a dirt mound, or crossing the finish line of our equivalent of the Indy 500, paled in comparison to this one word.  Kids weren’t the only ones affected either.  Adults got into the act, leaving their responsibilities behind, sneaking away from their desks, and putting off that important phone call for just a few more minutes.  What could make all these activities come to a screeching halt?  One thing—watermelon!

In the burning and humid heat of a North Carolina summer, an ice cold watermelon was just about the closest thing to heaven we could experience.   Usually late in the afternoon, word would spread that several watermelons had been delivered to my dad’s place of business.  My granddaddy, my parents, my brother and sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, passers by, etc. were all invited when we cut a watermelon.

I remember watching as the knife was plunged into the heart of a huge melon.  As my dad carefully cut through the heart of the melon, I could hear it beginning to separate.  It popped and creaked and then with one final snap, the melon split, exposing the luscious red fruit inside. For a moment everyone stopped.  All conversation ceased and silence fell over the whole group as the watermelon came apart.  Everyone stood mesmerized, anticipating that first bite of succulent fruit.

The pieces were cut into smaller portions and served to everyone there.  Finally, I received my piece of watermelon and I knew exactly what to do with it.  The only way to eat watermelon is to put your face completely into it.  No worries about getting sticky or having juice dripping from your chin because that’s the way you eat watermelon.  That first taste was always the best but it was never sufficient.  The more I ate, the more I wanted and the more I wanted, the more I ate.  You get the picture I’m sure; you’ve probably done the same thing yourself.  

Almost as good as the watermelon, however, was the wonderful fellowship I enjoyed with my family.  We laughed, exchanged stories, had seed-spitting contest, and spent hours just enjoying the simple pleasures of family friends, and watermelon.  There was nothing better in the world.

I believe David must have understood and appreciated the feeling of eating watermelon.  Whether or not he actually had access to the same melon we eat today, he surely captured the essence of the experience in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”  Now I know David is not talking about watermelon here but there are, I believe, some striking parallels in eating watermelon and enjoying the Lord’s presence in our lives.

David does not tell us to look at the Lord to see that He is good, he tells us to taste!  No one looks at watermelon; they eat it.  We can only enjoy the fruit once we take it into ourselves and enjoy all it has to offer us.  God is exactly the same way.  What a shame it is that we don’t experience Him to the full.

Like watermelon, God wants us to cover ourselves with His presence.  He wants us to dig in until we have our fill.  God’s love, mercy, grace, and peace should drip from us, from every fiber of our being, in the same way that watermelon juice drips from us when we eat it.  It should cover us, stick to us, fill us with joy, and bring the peace and the contentment found only in God alone.  He alone is our shelter and our refreshment when life grows difficult.  He alone brings joy, security, and contentment by filling us with all His goodness.  

Like that watermelon, the more we partake of the Lord, the more we want, and the more we want the more we partake.  Taste and see, David said, not look and wonder!!  God is good, all the time.  In life’s ups and downs, ins and outs, mountains and valleys, He is our strength, He is our comfort, He is our protector, and He is our life.  Are you enjoying a slice of watermelon from God’s table today?  Go ahead; put your face right in the middle of it!  You’ll be so glad you did!