Lent In Reverse (14th)

As we walk away from Jerusalem with the Disciples back to Galilee (where it all began and must begin again) I'm posting my Lenten devotionals in reverse.  Most of them.
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Acquiring a Taste

Joshua 5:9-12

I love coffee.  Can't get enough of it.  I have a friend who actually roasts his own beans and is great at it, so I have an excellent source for specialty coffees.  (http://finergrind.com/)

Now before you go thinking I'm a coffee snob, at least know that I don't hate on lesser coffees.  I'll kill a pot of dirty water just as  quick as a lightly roasted Papua New Guinea from Woody's shop.  I'll admit though, coffee can be an acquired taste.

English: A photo of a cup of coffee. Esperanto: Taso de kafo. Français : Photo d'une tasse de caffé Español: Taza de café (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I seem to have missed a crucial step in being a true connoisseur of anything though.  The "real" aficionados give up the bland, low, easy coffee and will only have premium roasts crushed in a burr grinder and prepared in meticulous temperature requirements.  Knowing exactly how to use a French Press can be satisfying.  Honestly there is something very fulfilling about being able to prepare an amazing cup of coffee and enjoy it.

What does this have to do with Joshua 5?  The Israelites had spent so long eating manna in the wilderness.  God never planned on them eating manna forever, though.  Eventually these wandering nomads would be able to settle down in the Promised Land and when they did God wanted them to use it.

It may seem like a minor thing, but being tied to the land and enjoying the fruits of their labor was a crucial step in God's plan.  The Israelites didn't need manna anymore.  They had moved on to something better and more satisfying.  Sure, they may have had to work for it, but the rewards far outweighed the effort.

The same is true in our faith.  As we continue trying to understand Jesus and the cross we must be willing to move on from what we knew.  This may not mean we jettison what we knew before, but we certainly are expected to build on it.

Prayer:
O Lord, your grace is new every day like manna from Heaven.
But your love also grows out of the seeds of our faith.
Help me to acquire a taste for a greater walk with you.
Amen.