Coffee Shop Community

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”  - Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

It’s no secret that the recent disappointments in my life hit hard. I felt like Buddy the Elf when he realizes he’s not an elf. Or a dog walking with its tail between its legs. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Vulnerable.

But God never failed to meet me where I was at. He always comforted me and provided for me. In Philippians 4:19, Paul says this: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV).

The week after some unbelievable emails and unimaginable phone calls, I didn’t know what to do. My routines were ruined. The place I called “home” was anything but hospitable. And the people I called “community” were now cut off.

Before any of that happened, one of my best friends wanted to get coffee with some of my other closest friends. I usually led my small group at the time she suggested, so it never would have worked. But when those issues arose, I handed off my small group to someone else to lead. 

I had losses to grieve. It was the end of 3 years leading that group. It was the end of 16 years at my home church location. It was the reality that not everyone was who they said they were, nor did they act biblically in their actions towards me. 

This emptiness made me available. Available for the Holy Spirit to fill me, available for me to rest, available to get coffee with my friends.

While my friend had the idea to gather, I needed those hours at the coffee shop more than any of us knew. The five of us sat around a table and processed life together. We each entrusted one another with the facts, the hardships, and the praise reports. They were my closest friends, my inner circle, now all together in the same place. These are the people that stuck by me in the worst of conflicts…and they weren’t going anywhere.

One of the astounding aspects of God’s character is that He is a God of abundance. Not of lack (John 10:10). So, when Paul writes that God will supply our every need, he means it. God won’t let you settle for the bare minimum. He’s going to exceed your expectations.

Sometimes God supplying our every need looks like sitting in a coffee shop with your best friends. Other times, He removes you from toxic situations and gets rid of things that don’t quite fit you anymore. Like that relationship…or that shirt from years ago that you thought still fit well.

I could have sat at home, wallowing in the losses. But God knew I needed to process the grief with my friends that day. They spoke life and encouragement into the places where my heart started to harden. They prayed with me then and continue to do so today.

When God promises to provide for your every need, He means it. Will you trust Him to fulfill your deepest needs?

Reflection:
1. Looking back, even as far as today, where do you see God providing for your every need?

2. What can you do on a daily basis to remember God’s provision in your life?

3. What are you currently asking God to provide for you?

Share your thoughts and prayer requests in the comments below!