The Steeping Process

Have you ever found yourself caught up in things that cease to matter? You are so busy focusing on negative issues that you fail to recognize the needs that are around you. You desire more of God, but only if it does not take away from what you want to accomplish or if the need does not add something to your full schedule. Could it be that God is asking you to "steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." If you steep something, you are trying to "extract its flavor or soften it." (Webster's Dictionary) Steeping is a process that if done correctly, allows you to enjoy the full intensity of the experience. You could never enjoy a cup of tea if you had not first steeped the tea bag! It is the steeping of the tea bag that allows you to appreciate the intensity of every delicate, tantalizing spice.

This thought was inspired by the following passage of scripture:

"Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and the way He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (The Message)