The Dim Sum brunch was underway but the tea was tardy getting to the table. It did finally arrive and was poured into the awaiting cups. Those around the table brought the filled cups to their mouths. What was the tea flavor? Could they guess? Some took a sniff or two then sipped. Some just sipped. They pondered momentarily, assessing and testing the taste.
Hmmm ... Flowery, floral aroma and delicate upon the palate. "Is this jasmine tea?" one sipper asked. "Yes," said the one who had ordered the tea. "Ah," said the sipper, sipping some more sips.
What you put into the teapot is what you get poured out into your cup. Similarly, if your heart is a teapot, what sort of 'leaves' or 'flowers' are in it? I asked one friend this question. Her answer was "children". Sure enough she is very good with children, the naughtier the better for her. She does wondrous mission work among children.
To have a good spot of tea requires good leaves. What pours out of ones' heart will reveal the type of 'leaves' being used in your heart teapot. Often the reveal of the heart, which also engages the mind, will come out in our words, attitudes and actions.
As James says,
"No human being can tame the tongue" (James 3:8).
I used to think there was no hope for me then. But when I was writing this blog entry, it hit me, "Hey, that says no HUMAN being can tame the tongue, BUT the Lord our God can do it through the Holy Spirit who indwells me. So there is hope then. As I surrender to the Holy Spirit's leading, self-control can come along with the taming of the tongue. Hurray, I don't need to duct tape my mouth shut nor suck my thumb!
Let's all be reminded that each believer in Jesus Christ has the Holy Spirit's indwelling. The fruit of the Spirit can help with the patience, meekness and self-control aspects, for instance. These are the premium quality 'leaves' we need to cultivate. Then the kindness, goodness and love of Jesus can be poured out into the 'cups' of those we meet and interact with. What's more, the aroma will be velvety, fragrant, mellow and soothing.
It must be the Holy Spirit who comes to tame these tongues of ours. When we co-operate with Him, He will aid and abet us, influencing our words and actions to be more like Jesus'. Give Him your will.
Lord, all I am, all I have, all I say and do, lead me along; influence me. Make my heart a willing 'teapot' using those premium quality fruit of the Spirit 'leaves' steeped to that al dente - ness needed before being poured out into the cups of my friends, family and others I meet along the journey of life. I beg You in Your name Jesus. Amen.
~ ERC January 2025 ~
Based on James 3:2-11 and Sept/Oct/Nov 2023 Our Daily Bread - 9 Sept by Jennifer Benson Schuldt.
Sing, Hymn of the Holy Spirit, along with Pat Barret.
No comments:
Post a Comment