Why Would God Care About How I Take My Tea?

David Peters explains how spiritual gifts might sometimes surprise you

- David Peters

It was the strangest word of knowledge I have ever had. “Is there someone here who has bought a new type of tea to drink?” I felt slightly foolish saying it but the impression was strong. A young woman in the congregation raised her hand. “Father says try it without milk and you will enjoy it more.”

And that was it – no great prophecy over her life, just a simple instruction from God on how to enjoy her cup of tea. And yet it proved to be a profoundly encouraging word to her.

I later discovered that this young woman had indeed bought a new herbal tea to try and that she always puts milk in all her teas. She was reduced to tears when I explained that if the Lord loved her so much that he wanted her to enjoy her tea, then how much more did he care about every other detail of her life, both small and large.

The incident impressed me that prophecy and other revelatory gifts are at their most powerful when they convey God’s wonderful love for all people. Yes, at times they may contain correction, but always in love and always with hope.