What Steeped Tea Taught Me about My Life in Christ

I spent ten years in China, which meant I drank a lot of tea.

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I mean, a lot of tea.

Whether I was visiting a friend’s home in the concrete jungle of the big city or visiting someone in a far-flung town of the rural countryside, I knew invariably at some point I would be handed a cup of piping hot tea. The scalding drink was almost always delivered to me in a tiny plastic disposable cup. I frequently marveled that the thin plastic drink holder held up as well as it did, without melting. My tongue, on the other hand, quickly learned that it didn’t possess the same power as the not-so-wimpy plastic cup. One big, premature gulp of the blazing-hot beverage, and my tongue tissue could be scarred for life. So I made it my regular practice to let the cup of tea cool off a bit, then take a sip.

In truth this waiting period, if you will, proved a better way anyway, because the extra minutes afforded the tea leaves a chance to steep in the water, which strengthened the overall flavor.

This scene must have played out dozens and dozens, if not hundreds, of times during my time overseas.

Years later I can still visual myself drinking tea with Chinese friends—after it’s cooled off a bit, of course—and I’m reminded of my life in Christ.

Think about this for a moment.

Picture fresh tea leaves placed in a cup of water—in China they don’t use tea bags. But whether using tea bags or not, in a mere matter of minutes, the clear water changes in color and composition. Water becomes tea, thanks to the art of steeping.

Now consider your life in Christ. When you read the Word of God, you expose yourself to God’s truth. When you soak in the Word of God, you steep yourself in God’s truth. Exposure is good. But absorption is better. Don’t just read the Word—meditate on it. Mull over it. Muse on it. Marinate in it.

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)

Have you steeped yourself in the Scriptures? Have you stored up the Word of God in your heart? Does the Word dwell richly in you?

Have you been transformed by the Word? Has the Word changed your overall color and composition of character? Five minutes is better than zero minutes. Start today. Make a plan. Be intentional. Be purposeful.

• Read the Word.

• Write the Word.

• Recite the Word.

• Pray the Word.

• Walk and talk to the Lord about the Word.

• Be transformed by the Word.

What are you waiting for?