Coffee

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4

This morning we talked about this passage, sharing how, when life squeezes us, we're called to have "Jesus juice", aka the characteristics of Christ, flow out of us. When we find that our humanity rather than Christ gushes out, to recognize and surrender our sinfulness to God, asking Him to fill us with Himself. Given time to reflect on what we'd heard, I had the following image.

Maybe it's just because I'm a sleep deprived mom with a thermos in hand, but my thoughts went to coffee. As a kid, coffee was a gross, bitter thing that grown up tortured themselves with; as an adult, coffee is a sweet treat that I crave. Has some magically transformation taken place in the flavor of my java juice? No! Rather, my tastes have changed and matured. Similarly, as I reflect on the bitter moments in my life, they leave a different taste in my mouth. Did these experiences change? No! Rather, God has changed and matured me, allowing me to see His goodness and purpose in my hardships.