S is for Steeped by Lorilee Guenter

To steep something is to let it change the water it is in. Those who enjoy a good cup of tea know that the longer you leave the tea bag in the water, the stronger the tea. The water takes the flavor and aroma of the tea. I enjoy herbal teas, which don't have bitter undertones, and have been known to leave the tea bag in the water overnight. The flavour is strong. The aroma permeates not just the water but the room.

We are called to be imitators of Christ (Eph. 5:1-2). In order to do that, we need to let Him permeate our lives. We need to be steeped in His presence. The more time we spend in prayer and reading (listening) to God's word, the more we take on the characteristics of Christ. His aroma permeates our lives. We become saturated in God's love and faithfulness until we overflow with praise. We become a fragrant offering to God. Beyond that, the character God is refining in our lives influences everything we do. It spills out into our families and our communities. As writers, it also spills out across the page. 

Once I've brewed coffee, or steeped tea, I can no longer separate the flavour from the water. Likewise, when we become steeped in God, immersed in His Word, we are changed. We are His and we are told nothing can separate us from His hand (Romans 8:38-39). We are changed and that change can not be undone. 

As I choose my words,  spoken or written, I recognise they are influenced by how I spend my time. My response to the events of the day are a result of my ongoing choices. Today, I choose to let Christ permeate my words and actions. It is my prayer that each day I make that choice to be steeped in God's love and instruction. 

May our lives be a fragrant aroma as we become imitators of Christ.

"but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,    and who meditates on his law day and night." Psalm 1:2

Writing from the Heart - Wendy L. Macdonald

    

I don’t remember many details from lectures and sermons I’ve heard; however, there’s one thing that always captures my attention enough for it to stay embedded in my heart and mind. But before I share that with you, let’s dig into the theme for February.

     How does my writing, blogging, and podcasting offer the hope and redemption of God? I’m a storyteller. Through fiction and memoir writing, I share the hope, healing, and comfort I’ve found in Jesus Christ. Years ago, the Lord delivered me from eating disorders; and as a result: 

My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep. 

  

     I tried—really tried—to rescue myself. But as a young adult, I turned away from my shallow faith and fell into deep darkness. If my faith had been well-rooted to begin with, I believe I wouldn’t have turned away from His Light. But turn away I did.

     I also walked through a dark decade of infertility. I know what it’s like to have hope dashed month after month, year after year. In my despair I eventually learned to trust God to comfort me and enable me to stop hiding my disappointment from Him, myself, and others.

     I’ve also recently uncovered a mystery from my past that I hope to share one day. For I received comfort and healing to believe I’m good enough under the blood of Christ despite abuse and neglect I suffered earlier in life. 

     Rescue and recovery are huge themes in my heart. And a few years ago, when I participated in a Beth Moore Bible study that centered on Isaiah 61:1, I realized afresh why this passion to preach recovery in Christ is strong in me; it’s because it’s foundational to God’s vision for us too.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

 Isaiah 61:1 KJV

     If Jesus was anointed to preach Good News to the broken, then His followers are too, as it says in Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV:

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

     In response to my from-the-heart memoir sharing, I’ve had people thank me for being honest—for being real. When we dare to write deep, it reaches readers’ hearts. Our vulnerability softens the spirit of the suffering and enables them to receive God’s healing touch at the core of their own brokenness. When we inspire others with our recovery story, they aspire to enter recovery too.

 

Our stories tells others with similar experiences they’re not alone.

    We shine His hope into their dark present when we expose our dark past. We were comforted so we’d point to the Comforter. We weren’t intended to simply stay comfortable; we are instructed to play the role of a compass directing others to the Source of healing. 

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

They won’t know if we don’t tell.

     And when we do tell a personal story, rather than just share a lecture, devotional, or sermon, it will stay with the listener for years to come. For as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, some things stick to the heart forever. 

Have you recently written about a time when God comforted you during a troubling season?

I’m nosy-to-know.  

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac