Coffee Cup

Time for a coffee break! But first, take a good look at your cup. No, not the one containing your coffee. The “cup” that is YOU. The Bible likens you to a vessel. A container created by the Lord. Perhaps your “cup” is dainty and delicate, or maybe it’s strong and sturdy. Breakable like porcelain and dentable like Styrofoam or cardboard. Created perfect, but now sustaining a few cracks or chips, lines or dents from the wear and tear of the world.

In our outward appearance, we carry a message; we make a first impression that says something about us, and we want it to be a good one, so we cover up and smooth over those flaws. We are consumed with the outside look of the CUP, aren’t we? Our appearance, our image, our desire to look good to others. We may even secretly hope others wish they had our cup because we look like we “have it all together.”

Or maybe, as we peer at another woman, she appears to be the one who “has it all together”, and we find ourselves thinking:

“I wish I were more like her, delicate, beautiful & feminine.”

 “If I could just be more like her, strong and practical, not afraid to speak her mind and share her faith!”

  

“Boy, she can really handle a lot – I wish I had her capacity and depth!”

 

“I envy her; she is so sophisticated & modern – a real today’s woman – always on-the-go because she has important places to be!”

  

“She is all that…AND she is eco-friendly!”

Perhaps the envied woman of outer delicate beauty is compensating the only way she knows how, because she feels so ugly within; she thinks very little of herself. Maybe the woman whose appearance is strong & practical is misunderstood or misguided. The woman who appears full of capacity & depth may be overcommitted and drowning inside. And what about the envied sophisticated women-of-today? Are they actually feeling stretched thin, disposable, or even recyclable some days? Do any of these inner flaws speak of us? Maybe in some ways, our cups are a bit like one or more of these.

Those cracks or chips that we’ve covered up? Maybe they are cracked or broken promises, chipped or damaged relationships. Those lines or dents that we’ve smoothed over? Battle lines drawn from anger or bitterness; dents from damage done to ourselves. All these blemishes are patched up and filled in for outward appearances, but the flaws are still within. We scrub, polish, and smooth the outer surface so we come across flawless to others, though inside we are worn out and weary, selfish and stained.

Let’s take a good look inside our vessel - our cup: Stains, visible from the inside, even if not so visible on the outside. Internal damage that even we can’t see. Sin that permeates us.

God loves us so much that He sent His own Son to us in the midst of our stain and sin.  He chose these stained, damaged cups - you and me. Jesus, the sinless and spotless Son of God, endured the agony of death on the cross and He rose again, VICTORIOUS, defeating sin & death for us, so that we might have eternal life & salvation, found only in Him.  We are filled with faith by the power of the Holy Spirit to believe God's promise that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Hold out your stained, damaged cup to Him. He is faithful and just. He is all powerful to forgive you in Jesus Christ; to remove your stains; to cleanse & heal you completely, from the inside out. You are made perfect – presented spotless – flawless – in Him who covers you with His perfection.  Can you believe it?!  It’s true!  Because of God’s freely-flowing favor, your vessel – your cup – contains the love of the Lord: "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:5 You are filled with His favor and capable of letting His love overflow onto everyone around you.

Filled!

Are you taking your coffee break with the Savior? (See my post, "Let's Meet for Coffee!") Ready for a refill? Take another break, and get ready to giggle...watch this:

"...Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God's glory." Colossians 1:27 Yes, Christ lives in you by the power of the Holy Spirit!  The Savior fills your "cup" to overflowing! Only He can fill your every need and complete you. Only He can define who you really are from the inside out, and only He knows you fully.

In Jesus, you are filled with real and certain hope. God handed you hope in the manger, and He secured your hope of eternity at the cross and the empty tomb. Ask God to open your eyes today to see those around you who may be wandering around without hope, holding out their empty cups, longing to have them filled. As you pour out hope in His name, they, too, will be filled with real and certain hope in Christ, because He lives in you.

Let's Meet for Coffee!

It's good to be back! Thank you for your patience with me, as it has been a while since my last devotion post to Fragrant Offerings. This fall, much of my writing time and energy was spent creating a brand-new women's retreat series, "My Overflowing Cup." I wrote today's devotion for you, inspired by the words and direction the Lord provided in preparation for this new retreat ministry. Look for more fun "coffee talk" in the weeks ahead.  ~Deb

Let’s meet for coffee. Oh, wait. You’re in front of your screen; I’m in front of mine, and we may even be across the country from one another, but I think we can make this work. (I know…we’re not on Skype and we’re not chatting live via Facebook, but I’m writing and you’re reading, and if you will grab a cup, I’ll do the same!) And in a sense, we’ll be “meeting” for coffee - gathering (as girlfriends in God love to do!) around a cup.

We can even call it a “coffee break!” Yes, a break. A time, if ever so brief, to sit back for rest, reflection, and refreshment. And coffee…a mere beverage? Hardly! The word “coffee” is so enticing, even if a cup of Java or Joe is not the drink of your choice. Why? Because the word “coffee” – the invitation, “let’s meet for coffee” – means so much more! (Maybe you’re enjoying a chai tea or a cup of hot cocoa or a flavored steamer right now!) For years, I was not a coffee drinker, but I rarely passed up an opportunity to “meet for coffee” when someone called. The atmosphere, the aroma, the amazing pastries behind the counter…all were enticing. And today I am a changed woman! While a black cup of Joe still doesn’t call my name, some newer creations simply SING to me! (With names like “White Chocolate Mocha” and “Vanilla Hazelnut Cappuccino” and “Creamy Caramel Latte,” how can I resist??)  

When a loved one or a friend invites you to “meet for coffee,” what she is really saying is that she wants your company, alongside that hot beverage. The conversation and camaraderie can fill and energize and refresh as much or more than the coffee in the cup after its consumption. “Coffee” is an event, an occasion, a holiday, if you will. A woman once shared with me how her family had faced years of hardship and financial struggles. As she and her husband worked tirelessly to put food on the table, there was no money left over for extras. But they kept a coin jar in the kitchen. As their small change accumulated, on rare occasion, they would delight in one treat: They would go out for a cup of coffee! I remember thinking, “Not dessert or chocolate?!” No. Coffee. The pick-me-up; the rare treat of choice for a special time together.

The Lord invites you to meet Him for a break – for a REAL pick-me-up. Even better than a coffee break with a loved one or a friend. He, too, really wants your company. He desires to spend a special time together with you. (It need not be a rare treat, but a daily delicacy!) The conversation that He initiates in His Word and the camaraderie – the friendship – that He provides in His constant presence can be more filling than any other. Just imagine what the Savior has in store for you each time you meet Him with your cup. With your cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Sure! More importantly, with the “cup” that is you – a vessel created and called by the Lord, to be filled and used for His purposes! He invites you to take a seat, put up your weary feet, and extend your “cup” to Him.  “[Jesus said,] ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 As you find rest for your soul from the hurries and hassles of your life, you will be refreshed as you reflect upon His Truth for you, and you will be filled anew with energy and strength, purpose and direction for the day ahead. Hold out your cup to Him; He is filling it already.



As you sit down to meet your Savior for coffee, remember…

·         Arrive with a Right-Side-Up Cup! (Check first, that your cup is not turned up-side-down!) Ask for a teachable, receptive, and open heart to receive every Word of wisdom He has for you today. Then hold your cup under His steady stream of grace.

·         Sip Slowly & Drink Deeply! “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10b As you sit with your Savior, sip His Word slowly, savoring every taste before you swallow. With every sip, you are refreshed; with every swallow, warmed and invigorated. Bring it to your parched lips and drink deeply as it flows into you. God’s divine power at work in His Word entices us in new and exciting ways each time it is read, as we receive everything we need from the One who called us and gives us life in His name! His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

·         It’s a Bottomless Cup! The beauty of drinking in God’s Word is that the more we consume, the more our cup is filled. We cannot keep up with our Savior who continually pours His grace into us. Our cups never run dry when His mercies are flowing!

      Thanks for meeting me for coffee.

      I’m going for a refill.

      How about you?