Coffee: A Discipleship Issue
I really enjoy coffee. Recently I made my first useless somewhat extravagant, but still responsible, purchase and bought a nice (well, nice for me) coffee maker. Which means I have been drinking a lot more coffee. I would be lying if I said what got me out of bed each morning was the anticipatory excitement of communing with Jesus before the rest of my family wakes up. While I do cherish that quiet hour with Jesus, what really gets me out of bed is the joy of grinding some fresh beans and enjoying my first cup of caffeinated goodness before I sit down with Jesus.
But here is the thing… as my caffeine intake has gone up in the past few weeks so has my anxiety. Years ago, I used to consume cups upon cups upon cups of coffee. During that time in my life, I was dealing with some pretty horrible bouts of anxiety. I finally put two and two together and realized that my coffee consumption was having a negative effect on my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. So, I began drinking much less coffee (mind you I said less, not none), and along with some other lifestyle changes, such as daily silence and solitude, prayer, scripture reading, and therapy I began to become less anxious. Who would have thought?!
But here I am again, enjoying my new coffee maker and some wonderful Ethiopian naturally washed beans telling myself to keep it under control knowing that if I don’t, my heart will be racing all day, my thoughts will be scattered, Jesus’ presence will seem distant and life simply won’t be very enjoyable.
I have a decision to make.
Control one desire, the desire for coffee, to gain a deeper desire, peace in body, soul, and mind.
This may all sound silly, but it is a discipleship question. It really is. Following Jesus is a whole person reality. It is not just a “spiritual” thing that involves our minds and hearts.
When Jesus made his invitation to his first apprentices:
“Come, follow me.”
He literally meant for them to follow him with their literal bodies. Peter had a decision to make. He gave up his fishing business, which was a good thing, to gain a better thing, a life with God.
I have a decision to make. Coffee, a good thing when done in moderation, for a better thing. Peace with God in my body, mind, and soul.
Jesus is gracious. He won’t force me to give up my third or fourth cup of coffee. But he has invited me to follow him, and I know what that looks like for me. And I am pretty sure you know what that looks like for yourself. May the Holy Spirit empower each of us to follow Jesus faithfully today.
Grace and peace ‘til we rise in glory.
P.S. This was written while I was only on cup two! I’ll try to keep it at that for today. Peace.
