A Gift from Jesus: Infusion
I am primarily a coffee drinker.
But mostly only in the morning. If I want a nice hot cuppa in the evening, I choose tea.
Sometimes I use tea bags, but I really like to put tea leaves in an infuser to make my tea.
I put a pot of water on to boil while I choose my tea preference. In the evening I prefer an herbal tea—caffeine after 4 p.m. will keep me awake till 2 a.m. I fill the infuser with orange or pomegranate or peppermint leaves, place it in a teapot and pour the hot water over it.
An amazing thing happens!
The water is transformed. The colorless liquid slowly becomes light brown, sometimes even dark brown. A warming fragrance fills the air. A tiny sip tantalizes me with its zest. This is called infusion.
Such a remarkable process. A few plant leaves completely transform plain water into color and aroma and flavor.
That is what should happen when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We should be infused and transformed.
Jesus promised: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." (John 14:16-17)
Paul urges us: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Then he tells us what it will look like when we are infused with God’s Spirit. “...speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-21).
Jesus promised that this infusion would give us power to be His witnesses, to shine His light to the earth, to reflect His image to a needy world. He has given us impossible assignments, but His Spirit enables us to do the impossible (Acts 1:8; Matthew 5:14-16; John 15:58).
The apostle assures us infusion brings transformation: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
And look at this glorious life we have when we are infused and transformed by the Holy Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22,23).
So I ask myself? Am I living this infused and transformed life? Am I consistently walking in the Spirit?
If not, I am so grateful Bill Bright’s helpful concept of spiritual breathing. We don’t have to bring about the transformation ourselves. We confess our sins, and in that cleanness we invite the Spirit to again infuse us with Himself—and all that means for us.
May you be infused with God’s very Spirit.
What about you? Is infusion a way of life for you?
C2015 Judy Douglass
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