Ezekiel 3:10, 11 `Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” (NLT)

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Before we speak to others about God, his will, and his ways, we must listen to him carefully, do what he says, and seek to know and understand his will and ways for ourselves. 

God tells Ezekiel, “let all my words sink deep into your own heart first.” Sit and soak in God’s truth. Become saturated with his goodness and wisdom. Align yourself with his mercy and compassion. Embrace his expansive love. 

Before we speak to others for God, we need to hear God clearly for ourselves. We need to do what he sends us to do and to say what he sends us to say. 

Steep first. Pour later. 

Steeping in God’s truth cleanses us. It softens us. It extracts and applies God’s heavenly goodness. 

This is a daily responsibility. The fresh wind and fresh fire of God’s greatness must blow and burn through our lives so that God can speak clearly through us to those he sends us to encounter. 

I didn’t shower for a couple of days during a holiday weekend. I was not opposed to showering, but events and their timing left me in an uncustomary state of unkempt appearance. I didn’t like it. 

Recent events also kept me from reading and pondering the daily Bible reading plan I follow for a couple of days. I didn’t like that, either. 

Daily cleansing is necessary for yours truly both physically and spiritually. Sometimes these occasions are like refreshing showers. Other times feel more like saunas. Occasionally, a hot bath is the only thing that removes the aches and pains of aging and overexertion. 

I am in steep mode currently. I require more of God before I see any more people. How about you?

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I will steep in God’s presence day by day so that he may pour out his goodness to others through my acts of service and words of peace and strength.

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Our Father, refresh me so that you may use me to refresh others. Cleanse me that I may be a useful implement in your hand. Amen.