THE CARROT, THE EGG AND THE TEA BAG

Through all the years of serving the Persecuted Church, my life was filled with living examples of TEA BAG CHRISTIANS.  I have not only been inspired but transformed by those who embrace the cross, patiently endure their suffering, and become beacons of light in their communities.

One of my favourite illustrations when I consider my own response to the hardships I face is the story of the carrot, the egg, and the tea bag.  It helps me to continuously self-evaluate the content of my heart and how the challenges I face impact my attitude. (taken from the book Standing Strong Through the Storm by Paul Estabrooks)

THE CARROT, THE EGG AND THE TEA BAG

A young woman went to her mother and told her that things were so hard for her, she did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as soon as one problem was solved a new one arose.  Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last, she placed tea bags. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. After about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she poured the tea out into a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “What do you see?”  “Carrots, eggs, and tea,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the tea. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.  The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The tea bags were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a tea bag?”

Think of this: Which am I?  Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?  Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after opposition and hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the tea bags? The tea bags actually changed the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases fragrance and flavor. If I am like the tea bags, when things are at their worst, I get better and influence the situation around me through a visible and tangible Christ-likeness.

So, what flavour will I release today when I converse about load-shedding, crime, corruption, and everything else that so easily robs me of the joy I have?  May we be known as TEA BAG CHRISTIANS.