After sixty-seven years on this planet, I still have not learned to enjoy the flavor of coffee. Although the tremendous value of the coffee was discovered in the 10th century, I remain unimpressed. There is a very small group of people who love the coffee aroma, but the love story ends at the olfactory system. I am a card-carrying member of that group. Flavored, creamed, and frappe, all do little to tempt my taste buds. When offered this nectar of the gods, I politely decline.
Over the years my chosen AM wake-up brew has been tea leaves tied up in a paper bag, the stronger the better. English, Irish, or any other “ish” works for me as long as it has “black” listed in its name. I take it straight up, with no sweetener added, and as close to boiling as I can tolerate while not burning my very busy tongue. As my radio alarm instructs my eyes to open, I begin to crave that drink of the angels in one hand and God’s word in the other. I have discovered that blazing hot water is mandatory when creating my perfect cup of tea. The water must be ready to receive the bag, or I end up with weak flavoring and no refreshment. It is little more than a fall-colored brown liquid that is lacking any promise of reviving my sleepy noggin.
A perfect cup of tea also requires time to steep. This allows all the flavor in the bag to leach into the eager H20. Just dousing it a couple of times and removing it from the China cup, prevents it from changing the bland flavor of hydrogen and oxygen into a true flavorful delight.
As the water must be patiently prepared, hot, and ready, I am learning that my heart and soul must be primed to absorb the rich flavor and power of His words. Words that continue His work of sanctification in my life.
Experience has taught me that when I grab my Bible, pen, and journal without preparing my heart properly, my heart is lukewarm, bland. I find myself sitting in my devo chair wasting precious time. Time that I I have purposefully carved out for my Father. I get sucked into the abyss of thinking and planning rather than listening and praying. I create budgets in my head, and stew about how to heal a broken friendship. Although I am in the presence of the One who promises to provide, I allow my thoughts to hover around numbers in the checkbook that undermines my sense of security. Matthew 6:25-34.
Why would I spend nonproductive time conjuring up answers to broken relationships when there are over 400 verses in scripture that include the word love and so many that address forgiveness? Mathew 18:22, Colossians 3:12-14
If I am not prepared, the time I purposely carved out to connect with my Father, morphs into useless worry, concern, and prideful dependence on my impotent answers. My soul does not get refreshed, and I leave that special place a little emptier than when I arrived, and the proverbial “tea bag” remains floating in the cold water of my soul. Genesis 1:3-5. I then just sink into the abyss of reviewing my daily tasks, concerned about how I will complete them all without inviting the one who created Time itself.
The real soul-changing occurs when my heart and mind are well prepared to receive His wisdom and direction. When I budget adequate time to prepare my heart so that His power will steep into my life and when I put aside my “to-do” list along with all of my worries, my heart is then primed for his direction and sweet comfort. 1 Peter 5:7 His burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I pray you will find this simple practice of preparation will truly enrich your sweet time with the Savior. That it enables you to turn your thoughts toward Him and off of the chaotic world around you. You will then be able to abide in Him as he offers his peace, power, and His wisdom beyond our understanding! John 14:27, James 1:5, John 15:4-5
Shalom,
Karen
God and His Kingdom always have to come first in our hearts and minds…….mornings are so blessed when we put Him first as He reminds us who we are and who He Is. Have a blessed New Year Karen.