Take a look at cup of coffee. Take time to see it – to notice it. The steam coming from off the top, forming swirls and designs in the air, the surface of coffee swirling with creme and whispers of the coffee aroma. This moment – this observation , of a tiny space – a moment taking place, in all it’s smallness, yet, in front of your eyes a whole microcosm is existing of things going on . The process of convection is occurring the hot liquid turning into steam – the formation of liquid condensation – there are so many natural processes being achieved here you could write a book on the whole cycle of a cup of coffee and what it represents – just sitting in front of you.From where the beans where grown to the water used, to the construction of the paper the cup is made out of. How many people did it take for all these elements to come together? How many lives were involved. Those people have families and lives and history and stories, and come from many places and some how all these things came together for this one cup.
Ancient glaciers that have been around for ages ,melting and evaporating produced clouds and rain and watered the Earth. All these things play a part. And here you are – a result of many things too, too many to mention. But to see yourself in this context in this place in the middle of all these things – these swirling movements all around you. Things are happening.
The world and creation is moving time is moving. What does this inspire in us when we observe such things? What greater truths come to mind? Here are a few of my thoughts:
- to know that when our life seems to be standing still – it never really is. God is moving everything forward in time, and everything is in it’s right place working together for the good of those who love Him.
Romans 8: 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Life is just a moment, just a vapor, a passing thing to be handled with fragility, to be taken seriously
James 4:14Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
- to live in thankfulness for everything, and to get on with doing what is right while there is time.
Colosians2:6-7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
- To see the delicacy of the created world – to know you are created with the same intricacy and care. That you exist because of so many very carefull details – that your life means more than a cup of coffee, way more – so much so that the Blood of Jesus was used as currecny of your salvation – contemplating this idea alone, will lead you to a depth of understanding that is truly limitless.
Mathew 6:26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
What other moments of contemplation have brought you to an understanding of greater truths or triggered an understanding of a spiritual concept?
What other things could you observe in this world that would give you this sense of awareness ?
What thoughts are you inspired to when you contemplate the world around you?
