“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” – Proverbs 21:3
I had a rather religious friend back in the day. He was in his 40’s and I was barely 20 at the time, just married. He would wax eloquent on his spirituality, talking at length about his newest, latest and greatest revelations. He was always doing some strange fast or bizarre prayer ritual and the Holy Spirit was talking to him about EVERYTHING. At the time I was in awe of someone that could pray for hours a day, memorize huge portions of scripture and have a DEEP prayer life.
One time we went out for breakfast and instead of ordering his usual coffee he ordered some water. He was a big coffee fan so I asked him what was up. With hushed tones he told me how the Holy Spirit spoke to him and convicted him of being addicted to coffee. He would be fasting coffee for several months, maybe giving it up entirely. I was in awe. Firstly that the Lord would speak to him about his beverage intake and secondly over his great spirituality that enabled him to sacrifice so much for the Lord! I mean, come on people, COFFEE!? Wow.
My response was classic. My new wife and I were having considerable difficulty communicating at the time and I was always very frustrated with my total inability to be a good husband. As he told me of his great sacrifice of doing without coffee I replied, “Wow, all I’m trying to do is not hit my wife!” (For the record, I have been quite successful, never hitting my wife in 13+ years, praise me.) Shaking my head, I walked away disappointed with myself at my apparent total lack of true spirituality and in awe of this great man’s amazing relationship with God.
We lost touch over the years, but it was discovered by some mutual friends that this guy had a serious problem with anger, beating his wife and children bloody repeatedly for 20+ years.
LIFE LESSON?
Go ahead, drink coffee and don’t beat your wife.
I had a rather religious friend back in the day. He was in his 40’s and I was barely 20 at the time, just married. He would wax eloquent on his spirituality, talking at length about his newest, latest and greatest revelations. He was always doing some strange fast or bizarre prayer ritual and the Holy Spirit was talking to him about EVERYTHING. At the time I was in awe of someone that could pray for hours a day, memorize huge portions of scripture and have a DEEP prayer life.
One time we went out for breakfast and instead of ordering his usual coffee he ordered some water. He was a big coffee fan so I asked him what was up. With hushed tones he told me how the Holy Spirit spoke to him and convicted him of being addicted to coffee. He would be fasting coffee for several months, maybe giving it up entirely. I was in awe. Firstly that the Lord would speak to him about his beverage intake and secondly over his great spirituality that enabled him to sacrifice so much for the Lord! I mean, come on people, COFFEE!? Wow.
My response was classic. My new wife and I were having considerable difficulty communicating at the time and I was always very frustrated with my total inability to be a good husband. As he told me of his great sacrifice of doing without coffee I replied, “Wow, all I’m trying to do is not hit my wife!” (For the record, I have been quite successful, never hitting my wife in 13+ years, praise me.) Shaking my head, I walked away disappointed with myself at my apparent total lack of true spirituality and in awe of this great man’s amazing relationship with God.
We lost touch over the years, but it was discovered by some mutual friends that this guy had a serious problem with anger, beating his wife and children bloody repeatedly for 20+ years.
LIFE LESSON?
Go ahead, drink coffee and don’t beat your wife.
I remember you telling me this story! EPIC! You accidentally prophesied to this guy about him beating his wife right? i wonder how many people are trying to AWESTRUCK us with FAKE Jesus talk.
ReplyDeletehoney, I am very glad you drink coffee!!! lol. you're awesome :-)
ReplyDeleteOhh that's why Justin is the one who faithfully makes the coffeee every morning! hahaha
ReplyDelete