Tea Anyone?

 By: Joanne Viola

 

The afternoons are getting chillier and I find myself doing what usually occurs this time of year. Tea.

Between the quietness of the afternoon and the warmth of the savored cup of tea, lies a time of restoration. It is one of my favorite times of day.

Let me ask you a question: Which would you rather  – a teabag in its wrapper or a nice mug of steaming tea?

Let’s be honest. We both know the answer to that question. The cup of tea, brewed just the way we like it would be our choice – every time.

For it is not until the tea bag comes out of its pouch and gets submerged into the boiling water that the true flavor is released. The hotter the water, the longer the tea bag is left to seep, the better the flavor.

Is this really any different than our lives?

We all would so much rather have life go along without difficulties. No complications to speak of. Life, neat and tidy, much like the teabag still in its wrapping.

But would we be as authentic? Would our faith be as precious?

Job went through much suffering. He lost family, possessions, and his health. After all the loss, he states:

“But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
(Job 23:10, NASB)

Job knows the the only way to have anything lasting, anything of value is to go through. He knows it is in going through, that he will come forth.

He will come forth stronger, bolder, more courageous, authentic. He knows it will be worth it all.

Rabbi Abraham Heschel puts it this way:

“Faith like Job’s cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.”  

Who would have thought that in the mundane and ordinary task of making tea, God would have something to speak into my heart?

Tea anyone?

 

Reflection:
Are you going through a time of testing? What keeps your faith from being shaken?

 

Photo by TeaCora Rooibos on Unsplash