tea

I was just thinking about how Jesus is just like my tea. My throat has been killing me and when I don't drink water I don't notice but it gets worse and worse and then all of a sudden its like fire and drinking hurts really bad but if I drink constantly it doesn't hurt. It hurts when I go awhile without drinking. And in my life, I spend a whole lot of time in this spiritual deprivation where there is no immediate pain but the effects of not drinking are detrimental. In order to not be in pain, I need to drink in Jesus, soak in Him, meditate and go into solitude to drink deeply. And water is kind of like the cheap spirituality I usually try to cure the thirst with. And its easy to take a gulp and alleviates the pain for a few seconds but then its back again. Thats how I handle most spiritual disciplines: skimming some bible verses short generalized prayers, singing to God with my mind on something else entirely-let alone things like meditation. A hot mug of tea is a different story. Tea takes a whole lot more work: heating water, adding sugar, letting it seep, and taking time to commit to the entire mug, slowly sipping. But it is so evident that it is the one thing for my throat that provides lasting comfort. And everything about it, the smell, the warm mug, the delight in each sip is right. And thats the way deep spirituality is. Deep time with the Lord. It takes time, effort, commitment. It takes a lot more effort and slowing down and soul probing than I am usually ready to commit to. But its the only thing that works. The only thing that is right. Even water and the fast paced, shortcut, convenient spirituality won't satisfy. The real thing is so good. Immeasurably more.