Called 4 Jesus

By T.A. York

Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? Having Hawaiian roots, I’ve always appreciated a brew that is rich, smooth, and nutty. Even the aroma is enough to send me over the top. My time doing mission work in Colombia introduced me to another favorite: the local tinto, which has a naturally creamy sweetness.

But have you ever stopped to think about how that bean is actually processed? The method I’m familiar with follows a rugged, old-world tradition.

From Cherry to Bean

It begins in the fields, where workers harvest “coffee cherries.” It is vital to select only the berries that are deep red and gleaming in the sun. Once gathered, the cherries are washed and left to dry under the heat of the sun before undergoing their first fermentation.

To extract the beans, the dried cherries are placed between two wooden surfaces—often an upside-down tub and a handled board—and crushed by hand.

Refinement and the Wind

After the beans are freed, they are fermented a second time. They must be washed repeatedly to remove their naturally slimy texture before being laid out to sun-dry once more.

Next comes a light roasting, just enough to loosen the outer husks. The beans are then pounded in a mortar to separate the shells. To clean them, the processor uses a large bamboo plate, tossing the beans into the air and allowing the wind to whisk away the chaff.

The Final Brew

Finally, the beans are roasted a second time, watching as they transform from a pale beige to a rich, oily brown. Only then is it time to make the coffee. The beans are crushed into a fine dust and filtered through hot water to create the perfect drink.

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Here is how the journey from a coffee cherry to a cup of coffee parallels the Christ-like journey:

1. The Harvest: Chosen and Set Apart

In its natural form, a coffee bean is actually the pit of a fruit called a “coffee cherry.”
The Parallel: Just as a farmer selects only the ripe cherries from the tree, God “picks” us. We are chosen and called out of the world (John 15:16). At first, we are “raw, the pit and green”—full of potential but not yet ready for our ultimate purpose.

2. The Milling: Removing the Old Self

To get to the bean, the outer fruit (the pulp) and a thin parchment layer must be stripped away. This is often done through “washing” (wet process) or “drying” (natural process).
The Parallel: This represents the initial work of the Holy Spirit. Before we can grow, the “outer layers” of our old nature—pride, worldly habits, and self-sufficiency—must be stripped away. As noted in my reflection on Psalm 147, we have to move past the “Unholy Trinity” of me, myself, and I.

3. The Roasting: Refined by Fire

The most dramatic change happens in the roaster. Under intense heat, the bean changes color, chemical structures break down, and the “essential oils” (the flavor) are released. If there is no heat, the coffee remains bitter and hard.
The Parallel: The “heat” represents the trials and tribulations of the Christian life. As James 1:2–4 suggests, the heat isn’t there to destroy us, but to bring out the character (the flavor) of Christ within us. Without the trials, we remain “green” and immature.

4. The Grinding: Broken to be Used

A whole roasted bean smells good, but it cannot make coffee. It must be crushed into fine grounds to expose the maximum surface area to the water.
The Parallel: In the Christian life, “brokenness” is often the prerequisite for usefulness. Being “ground” is painful, but it is how our lives become “hid with Christ” (Colossians 3:3). It is the process of being broken of our own will so that God’s will can flow through us.

5. The Brewing: The Infusion of the Spirit

Finally, hot water is poured over the grounds. The water “extracts” the essence of the bean, turning clear water into a rich, dark life-giving drink.
The Parallel: This is the daily walk of faith. The “hot water” of our circumstances, combined with the “Living Water” of the Holy Spirit, extracts the fruit of the Spirit from our lives.

2 Corinthians 2:15

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”

God is pleased with our aroma as we draw near to Christ. Just like our cup of good coffee.

God bless