All kinds of people go to coffee shops for all kinds of reasons. I used to think only the really cool people with the hippie hair congregated there. Then I started going to DeBeen more often and I realized that it is something nearly everyone enjoys, whether they like coffee or not. Maybe all of the middle-aged, divorced mothers and fathers saw all of the young, socially sophisticated artists going and ordering espresso macchiato and thought it might be fun to tag along at a distance. Then again, maybe they were there first and the artists and scene kids came later. Either way, coffee is really big in America, and will be for quite some time. But, sometimes I wonder if Americans really like coffee as much as it is let on. All I seem to hear is, “I need the caffeine,” and that does not mean you like coffee, it means you are addicted to caffeine. But this is over-looked, because we’re a little bit caught up in the trend of coffee drinking, or in the least, the trend of visiting Starbucks on a semi-regular basis to purchase and consume the drinks that contain no coffee.
Now concerning the practices of different social parties, there are but two routes of action than can be taken when a new vogue, such as coffee, comes into play (If you are into this kind of thing). One can either reject the practice, saying, “No, we mustn’t associate ourselves with the fad taken on by this countering social group,” or the more annoying and slightly more characteristic, “Oh boy, let us do this too! But let us change it to fit our stereotype’s distinctions in order to remain diverse in society.” (What?) The latter seems to be more of the attitude when dealing with coffee, although it does come in many forms and fashions. For instance, you have the artists that along with the coffee connoisseur types, tends toward the espresso drinks that are alien to overpowering syrups and sweet flavoring. They most likely have their own personal espresso machines at home that they use after their dinner parties, but they still like to stop by to sit and read their novels. Then you have your southern American school kids that usually either prefer to drink the coffee-less cream drinks, or the weak joe driven by rich fruity syrup. Even still, there are the college-aged activists that will only drink fairly traded, organic, and decaffeinated coffee to please their scene of environmental wholeness and human rights. And there are of course, those who find it trendy and cool to have a long, drawn out, and unique order, such as, “I’d like one tall, double shot, white chocolate mocha, iced, with soymilk, decaf, extra milk froth, with raspberry, butterscotch, and cinnamon syrup topped with whipped cream, please,” ending with a gasp for breath and a look over the shoulder to see which of their friends were paying attention.
I would speculate that most people like coffee just fine, but that when one pays $4.00 for their Grande Soy Latte, they are also paying for the increase of acceptance in today’s culture, where coffee is the thing to drink. All the while, the people they desire to fit in with are doing the exact same thing, because although the enjoyment they get from their specialty coffee drink is real, they still wouldn’t be paying $4.00 every other day if everyone else thought it were stupid.
Is it possible that my words are a little exaggerated and far fetched? I would suppose so. Nonetheless, whether these simple accusations are accurate or not, I would retort the silliness of social performance any day. The fact is, as you may or may not have guessed, coffee has nothing to do with the real issue. We could analyze behaviors all day long, and we would get as far as doing only that. We would get as far as analyzing more behaviors, noting the silliness of them, and scheduling a meeting for the next discussion, and that would not solve anything. (It would, however, be fun to meet for these discussions were they held at coffee shops.)
The real issue is that a very low percentage of people in America have a clue about life. That’s right, I said hardly anyone has a clue about Life, the life of the true and living Messiah. We roam around our houses, workplaces, malls, and coffee shops just living life the best we can, trying to make money, make friends, fit in, and be good people. Even the churchgoers are scheduling their own agendas and dressing to impress. How can this be? Even people seeking Religious help and praying daily can’t make decisions without basing them off of what people will think? Excuse me, but I thought those who claimed Christianity were supposed to be living above these social standards in freedom and acceptance, but the followers of Christ are not living that way. Instead, we are fitting in with the rest of the coffee drinkers and social groups just like everyone else. It seems most people don’t think they have a choice. The thought never really comes to mind that this need of acceptance is something laced with insecurity that can be helped. I think most people believe it is just a part of life that we have to deal with. And that is true. We do have to deal with it, but we do not have to live with it.
The cool thing about Jesus is that he offers total acceptance and forgiveness. Most people reject this completely, others do their best to accept it, and some merely pretend to accept it. No matter which of these boats a man is in, the truth is that you can live in the acceptance that Jesus is offering you instead of just talking about it. No matter what social group you associate yourself with, the reasons you make your decisions, or how much you pay for coffee every week, He still offers it to you.
I once knew a girl that had a horrendous past that she couldn’t ever get over. (This has nothing to do with coffee.) She was very wounded from the way her Mother treated her, and the reality of her Father abandoning her. Years into her painful family venture, her over-worrying Grandparents obtained custody of her. Although she was walking into a much better atmosphere, her Grandmother would unknowingly reopen these wounds with pitying words and the sharing of stories about her past with other people. “Please pray for her,” she pleaded, over and over. She hurt so much for her granddaughter that her granddaughter was even more unable to deal with these wounds and accept Adonai’s love. However, the girl continued attending church and talking the talk, trying to make it seem like nothing ever happened to her, or maybe that she had accepted all of the things Jesus promised us. Other people’s words and actions affected her so, and she has never gotten over it.
Now, I find it appropriate to note that I judge no one for these mistakes, and that I know not your heart or motives. I simply know that these motives exist, though it is usually uncertain where they take residence. This Grandmother would have never wanted to hurt this beautiful child, and I do not believe for a second that she even realized she was doing it, but our mistakes are many times out of ignorance, and out of our own insecurities that we know nothing of. We go places, buy things, and drink things for reasons that we do not know. We think and we believe, and we do not always believe the right thing. Coffee is not the issue, but merely an example. It seems that our long orders, trendy drinks, and sophisticated hangouts aren’t really what they seem. Maybe we should take a second look at why we do what we do, and why we enjoy what we enjoy. It has proven to be worth it time and again.
I would like to note that I am not here to give you a step-by-step guide to ensuring your active belief in the truth of God’s acceptance. Many people try to do that, and there is no point to it, for I cannot instruct you to believe something, but can only present it before you. The idea that you are totally accepted, secure, and loved in Christ Jesus is quite frankly a large idea to grasp. Our identities have become so wound up in the opinions of imperfect humans, that we cannot even begin to function under the law of graceful acceptance without a lot of change. God’s acceptance of you is automatic, but your acceptance of His acceptance is often damaged by the way humans have affected you, what you have believed about those experiences, and really, a whole load of other things as well. It happened to the girl I knew, and it happens to many others. When your identity rests in your insecurities, your identity will be insecure.
When it comes down to placing your identity in the hands of God, there is no condemnation. He wants you to do it. He wants you to come and live freely in Him. Dismiss the thought that you are messing up and stop condemning yourself! God Himself does not expect perfection out of you. If His grace was not sufficient for all of our problems, then you would already be dead and in hell, but it is. His grace is sufficient, His acceptance is complete and pure, and He doesn’t mind your coffee breath. In fact, He very much enjoys your sincere enjoyment of coffee, and your time with friends, whether you are doing everything perfectly or not. He just desires that you to come to Him and ask Him to change these things in you. Your willingness is crucial, but if you don’t yet feeling willing, tell Him so, and ask Him to do it anyway. We cannot change on our own, and we cannot move forward without the Holy Spirit’s help. We must leave this up to Him who offers the acceptance.
There are 6 billion people on the face of this earth, and a lot less Christians than that. I do not know any of their hearts. They may be buying their hot drinks out of sincere desire for it, and they may be buying their clothing because they just want to be comfortable. I do not know, and may never know. But Adonai always knows, and He always wants you no matter what your heart is running after the fastest. He will always invite you back for another cup of His love, acceptance, and grace. He will always invite you back.
Now concerning the practices of different social parties, there are but two routes of action than can be taken when a new vogue, such as coffee, comes into play (If you are into this kind of thing). One can either reject the practice, saying, “No, we mustn’t associate ourselves with the fad taken on by this countering social group,” or the more annoying and slightly more characteristic, “Oh boy, let us do this too! But let us change it to fit our stereotype’s distinctions in order to remain diverse in society.” (What?) The latter seems to be more of the attitude when dealing with coffee, although it does come in many forms and fashions. For instance, you have the artists that along with the coffee connoisseur types, tends toward the espresso drinks that are alien to overpowering syrups and sweet flavoring. They most likely have their own personal espresso machines at home that they use after their dinner parties, but they still like to stop by to sit and read their novels. Then you have your southern American school kids that usually either prefer to drink the coffee-less cream drinks, or the weak joe driven by rich fruity syrup. Even still, there are the college-aged activists that will only drink fairly traded, organic, and decaffeinated coffee to please their scene of environmental wholeness and human rights. And there are of course, those who find it trendy and cool to have a long, drawn out, and unique order, such as, “I’d like one tall, double shot, white chocolate mocha, iced, with soymilk, decaf, extra milk froth, with raspberry, butterscotch, and cinnamon syrup topped with whipped cream, please,” ending with a gasp for breath and a look over the shoulder to see which of their friends were paying attention.
I would speculate that most people like coffee just fine, but that when one pays $4.00 for their Grande Soy Latte, they are also paying for the increase of acceptance in today’s culture, where coffee is the thing to drink. All the while, the people they desire to fit in with are doing the exact same thing, because although the enjoyment they get from their specialty coffee drink is real, they still wouldn’t be paying $4.00 every other day if everyone else thought it were stupid.
Is it possible that my words are a little exaggerated and far fetched? I would suppose so. Nonetheless, whether these simple accusations are accurate or not, I would retort the silliness of social performance any day. The fact is, as you may or may not have guessed, coffee has nothing to do with the real issue. We could analyze behaviors all day long, and we would get as far as doing only that. We would get as far as analyzing more behaviors, noting the silliness of them, and scheduling a meeting for the next discussion, and that would not solve anything. (It would, however, be fun to meet for these discussions were they held at coffee shops.)
The real issue is that a very low percentage of people in America have a clue about life. That’s right, I said hardly anyone has a clue about Life, the life of the true and living Messiah. We roam around our houses, workplaces, malls, and coffee shops just living life the best we can, trying to make money, make friends, fit in, and be good people. Even the churchgoers are scheduling their own agendas and dressing to impress. How can this be? Even people seeking Religious help and praying daily can’t make decisions without basing them off of what people will think? Excuse me, but I thought those who claimed Christianity were supposed to be living above these social standards in freedom and acceptance, but the followers of Christ are not living that way. Instead, we are fitting in with the rest of the coffee drinkers and social groups just like everyone else. It seems most people don’t think they have a choice. The thought never really comes to mind that this need of acceptance is something laced with insecurity that can be helped. I think most people believe it is just a part of life that we have to deal with. And that is true. We do have to deal with it, but we do not have to live with it.
The cool thing about Jesus is that he offers total acceptance and forgiveness. Most people reject this completely, others do their best to accept it, and some merely pretend to accept it. No matter which of these boats a man is in, the truth is that you can live in the acceptance that Jesus is offering you instead of just talking about it. No matter what social group you associate yourself with, the reasons you make your decisions, or how much you pay for coffee every week, He still offers it to you.
I once knew a girl that had a horrendous past that she couldn’t ever get over. (This has nothing to do with coffee.) She was very wounded from the way her Mother treated her, and the reality of her Father abandoning her. Years into her painful family venture, her over-worrying Grandparents obtained custody of her. Although she was walking into a much better atmosphere, her Grandmother would unknowingly reopen these wounds with pitying words and the sharing of stories about her past with other people. “Please pray for her,” she pleaded, over and over. She hurt so much for her granddaughter that her granddaughter was even more unable to deal with these wounds and accept Adonai’s love. However, the girl continued attending church and talking the talk, trying to make it seem like nothing ever happened to her, or maybe that she had accepted all of the things Jesus promised us. Other people’s words and actions affected her so, and she has never gotten over it.
Now, I find it appropriate to note that I judge no one for these mistakes, and that I know not your heart or motives. I simply know that these motives exist, though it is usually uncertain where they take residence. This Grandmother would have never wanted to hurt this beautiful child, and I do not believe for a second that she even realized she was doing it, but our mistakes are many times out of ignorance, and out of our own insecurities that we know nothing of. We go places, buy things, and drink things for reasons that we do not know. We think and we believe, and we do not always believe the right thing. Coffee is not the issue, but merely an example. It seems that our long orders, trendy drinks, and sophisticated hangouts aren’t really what they seem. Maybe we should take a second look at why we do what we do, and why we enjoy what we enjoy. It has proven to be worth it time and again.
I would like to note that I am not here to give you a step-by-step guide to ensuring your active belief in the truth of God’s acceptance. Many people try to do that, and there is no point to it, for I cannot instruct you to believe something, but can only present it before you. The idea that you are totally accepted, secure, and loved in Christ Jesus is quite frankly a large idea to grasp. Our identities have become so wound up in the opinions of imperfect humans, that we cannot even begin to function under the law of graceful acceptance without a lot of change. God’s acceptance of you is automatic, but your acceptance of His acceptance is often damaged by the way humans have affected you, what you have believed about those experiences, and really, a whole load of other things as well. It happened to the girl I knew, and it happens to many others. When your identity rests in your insecurities, your identity will be insecure.
When it comes down to placing your identity in the hands of God, there is no condemnation. He wants you to do it. He wants you to come and live freely in Him. Dismiss the thought that you are messing up and stop condemning yourself! God Himself does not expect perfection out of you. If His grace was not sufficient for all of our problems, then you would already be dead and in hell, but it is. His grace is sufficient, His acceptance is complete and pure, and He doesn’t mind your coffee breath. In fact, He very much enjoys your sincere enjoyment of coffee, and your time with friends, whether you are doing everything perfectly or not. He just desires that you to come to Him and ask Him to change these things in you. Your willingness is crucial, but if you don’t yet feeling willing, tell Him so, and ask Him to do it anyway. We cannot change on our own, and we cannot move forward without the Holy Spirit’s help. We must leave this up to Him who offers the acceptance.
There are 6 billion people on the face of this earth, and a lot less Christians than that. I do not know any of their hearts. They may be buying their hot drinks out of sincere desire for it, and they may be buying their clothing because they just want to be comfortable. I do not know, and may never know. But Adonai always knows, and He always wants you no matter what your heart is running after the fastest. He will always invite you back for another cup of His love, acceptance, and grace. He will always invite you back.
2 comments:
i found your blog through a friend of a friend of a friend, and so on, and i thought it was funny what you said about coffee. i work at starbucks, and it's pretty easy to tell the people who really like coffee, those who like to pay $4 for 2 shots of espresso buried in 400 calories of milk, syrup, and whipped cream, and those who use the idea of a complicated "usual drink" as an attempt to express who they are. interesting comments.
i've lived in raleigh for about 5 years (since i've been in college), but before that i lived near greensboro.
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