Opus 2026-011: The Lesson of the Coffee Cup

Coffee has always smelled wonderful to me.  They’re just something about it that is pleasant.  My first taste was, to put it mildly, a tremendous disappointment.  Coffee has an overwhelming bitterness to your taste buds.  But I persevered.  Now I drink it every morning.

Sometimes that first sip is still a bit bitter, but my taste buds quickly adjust.  What is going on?  How did I get past that first taste?

I got past that first taste because the wonderful smell was still there.  I got past that first taste because I was surrounded by people who continued to drink the vile brew.  I got past that first taste because I told myself there must be something here that I’m not aware of yet.  I was rewarded.

Now comes my sermon.

When people come to the things of God, they are often attracted by what we would call the wonderful smell.  It creates certain expectations.  Often they go through a brief time of, shall we say bitterness, or at least disappointment.  Some people fall away and never taste it again.  Others because of the example of those who continue imbibing in Jesus take a second step and go on to glory.

When you see people who approach the gate to salvation, dip their toe in, and back away, don’t despair.  They will continue watching you.  They will continue snipping the spiritual air.  They will continue to wonder what you know that they don’t.  If they are really interested in the things of God, they will eventually cross over and become one of us.

Some people never experience the joy of that contrast between a cup of coffee and a doughnut.  In pastries and beverages it’s no big deal but an eternity the resistance can be tragic.  Keep radiating the smell of righteousness and drawing people towards our Lord.

homo unius libri