Devotional thought of the day….

We are in love with Love. That is why Our Lord doesn’t want us to be dry, stiff, lifeless. He wants us to be steeped in his tenderness!

It’s been about fifteen years now, since I was at Pepperdine running a department.  It was tradition for our dean, or maybe our Asst. Dean to get everybody some kind of fancy imported coffee for Christmas.  (the bunch of geeks that we were, we lived on caffeine.) But I don’t drink coffee, and though I would have been perfectly content with a 12 back of diet coke, he (or probably his office manager/exec asst.) got me a bag of Earl Gray and another bag of English Breakfast Tea, and one of those little mesh tea infusers. (what they used before the advent of tea bags – and what conciseness still use today)

To be honest, it does make a hug difference…. the way the tea tasted was superb!

When I read the words above from St Josemaria Escriva, I immediately latched onto that word “steeped”  It is really just another picture of the concept of living in Christ, or abiding in Him.  We are sort of like a glass of hot water, sitting on a table.  Okay… I suppose I notice it there… maybe even look at the steam coming off of it.  Yet through in a infuser, with a really good strong batch of tea… and everything changes.  The steam coming off the top of the cup projects it’s flavor/scent throughout the room. the beverage itself comes alive and the caffeine… well it is cafeinne!  🙂    All of a sudden we are awake, and alive and we have energy.

Such is the effect of living in Christ, of His love, His tenderness, His mercy, His nature, infuses (not making a theological statement here- just the concept) us, it affects us in ways we can’t even begin to comprehend.  The more we grasp His love, the more we begin to love others.  The apostle Paul decribes such an effect this way..

¹⁴ And I got it, thank God! In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. ¹⁵ Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life.  2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (MSG) 

You desire people to come to know Jesus?  You desire your church to be filled once again?  You want to be effective in your vocation, and in your walk as a believer?

It starts with something simple – something quite passive, something that calls us to be still… and know He is God…the rest will come… it is the natural result, like the steeping of some leaves in a cup of hot water results in a great drink…

It calls us to be steeped in His love and tenderness….

Adore Him, for indeed He is worthy…

(1)Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 1881-1883). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.