Unshackled Moments ~ July 4th ~ The Purpose Of Coffeee

"My Mom doesn't understand that coffee has a purpose," Leah told me this morning in response to my asking her why her mom had bought decaf coffee. Before having my morning caffeine injection I can't imagine the pleasure or purpose of caffeine-free coffee. To addicts like me, coffee has a distinct purpose. Yes, I enjoy the taste. I love coffee. But truthfully the flavor just makes it palpable. I drink it for the caffeine. Caffeine helps me get going, helps me keep going and takes the edge off my pain. Yes, for those who don't know, caffeine is a natural pain reliever. It also helps me prevent headaches and other withdrawal systems because I have made caffeine a necessary substance through regular and high use.&

Yes, I understand that coffee, real coffee that has caffeine (extra if possible), has a purpose, and I can joke that there is no other reason to drink it. I can say, being only half serious, that my mother-in-law doesn't get it, because she drinks decaf. It's mostly in fun, and it's pretty trivial in all truth. But there is a similar situation that isn't trivial. Sometimes we forget that worship has a purpose. We like the way it tastes, the way we feel. But it can be a surface thing that we just do like drinking decaf coffee. It tastes right, but it's been robbed of its purpose and power.

Worship has a purpose. It has the power to take us out of our circumstances and into the very presence of God Almighty. It has the power to relieve us of the bondage of self in a way that little else can. And it's part of the process of getting going and keeping going in our walk with God. We have less power to walk as we should when don't worship with all our heart with spirit and truth. Yes, we can just mindlessly go through our day with praise and or music that gives glory to God, and we can keep gratitude in our forethoughts and similar. These are good things to do and enjoy, even if they are only on the surface. There are a lot worse things we could have pumping into and out of our brains. But if it only stays on the surface it's like decaff coffee. It tastes right, but it's just not quite real. Worship has a purpose. Let's help ourselves to a few big cups today.