Fri., Mar. 25/22
“Would you like some tea?” our hostess asked raising the pot in my direction.
“Certainly, thank you,” I replied, and she walked toward me pot in one hand, cookie plate in the other.
“Just hold your cup steady,” she said and before I knew it I had begun to do so, raising it up towards her from my place on the couch.
She was already a-pour when I began to second think my reflex. This is rather awkward, I thought. My arm is in a weakened position and she has two handfuls to balance as she tips the pot to complete the pour. The tea is steaming… very hot indeed! If she were to falter… to splash… Why, I would be very burned indeed… my scalded hand would bolt back… the tea in my cup would fall toward me… there would be secondary burns on my thigh, or possibly my face! Oh dear… this was not good at all! My hand holding the teacup began to twitch a bit, then slightly tremble.
”You know,” I said, looking toward her tea-focused eyes, “I believe that’s enough.” Mercifully, she stopped. “Would you like a biscuit?”
Reflecting on this I realize the folly in my faithlessness. Our hostess was a competent pourer, but my faith in her competence was shallow. I pulled back and received less than I might have had I greater faith in her ability. I could not blame our hostess for my half-cup of tea. It was a consequence of my own lack of trust.
Jesus says to us something similar: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink,” He said. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37b-38). Just believe. Place all your confidence and safety in Me, He says… Trust in My ability… and you will come away not only filled, but flowing – flowing out Life to others.
Look up to Him… hold your cup out… and
“’You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matt. 14:31)
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matt. 28:17)
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
“…when you ask, you must believe and not doubt” (James 1:7)
“Be merciful to those who doubt.” (Jude 22)
Just hold your cup steady.
Press on…
Pressing on... 