3:120 – Good Coffee Takes Time

#faithbites #faithjourney coffee

I like coffee. I wasn’t raised on it but started drinking it after college. But no one else drank it so I didn’t want to brew a whole pot. Then I got a Keurig and loved doing one cup at a time. (Don’t worry, I use the refillable ones to reduce waste). The coffee was quick and did the trick. The times I would go to a coffee house, it would be better. Recently a friend of mine gave me a pour-over setup and a canister setup (similar to a french press but it sits in the water then goes through a filter). Once I played with the temperature of the water, the amount of grounds used, and how long it seeped, I experienced very different tastes. The more work I put into it, the better it tasted. Keep in mind, I’m an amateur at this. The professionals are much better at making me a great cup of coffee.

So what does this have to do with faith? The amount of effort we put into it affects the taste and what we get out of it. Need a quick pick me up, google scripture and a theme and you will get something. This is the K-Cup of faith. Want more than one does to share, then pour a pot, a.k.a a small group or devotional. Want a full flavor experience, do a pour over, by taking time to dig into the word. Need a deeper understanding, then go to a professional, to help you understand it. This is the barista of coffee.

They all do the trick, but fill different needs. What kind of cup do you need today?

Scripture

• Matthew 21:22 – And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
• Matthew 17:20 – He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
• Luke 17:5 – The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Reflection

A k-cup is a good cup of coffee. It is warm, caffeinated and gives you a taste. Searching for scriptures to help you when you need it isn’t bad. Sometimes it can lead you to misunderstandings if you don’t know the surrounding text, but it does help you get into God’s Word.

The Bible is filled with people wanting to increase their faith and be closer to the Lord. This is done through praying, understanding His word, and getting help from a professional. Like a coffee house, different barista’s brew it differently. Look for those who stick to the Word and help you understand it the best way for you. I am blessed to have a Pastor who is a mentor and is willing to help me understand and answer my faith questions.

Challenge

How do you take your faith? Try different ways for a deeper understanding. Search for scripture, join a faith community or small group, reach out to a member of clergy. All of these will provide you a better understanding of your religion, faith, and help deepen your connection to God.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for wonderful things like coffee. We know that you have blessed us deeply. Help us as we deepen our connection with you. We know there are different ways to connect and learn about you. Help us explore different avenues requiring different amounts of effort. We know they are all beneficial. Let us taste the variety and become closer to you. In your name, Amen.