I was sitting outside at a Starbucks a couple of weeks ago when this question came came to mind; do cowboys drink Starbucks? Could some of the roughest, tumblest, most hardcore coffee drinkers (I hear they chew theirs) sidle up up to the Starbucks counter and order a vente soy latte?
What I'm really talking about is the fact that I need to change my beliefs. When I see things or hear things that challenge my perception of what's "acceptable" and what's "expectable" I tend to doubt their authenticity and my own definitions. How we define things comes from our beliefs.
Our beliefs shape how we react to things, how we see the world, how we see others and how we see ourselves. Basically, what we believe shapes how we see everything. So this simple question brought into mind my own beliefs.
Believing what other people think about me forms who I am, believing that my value is wrapped up in how other people receive what I say, will keep me from saying things that need to be said and from believing the truth.
Being afraid of, "You are the weirdest person." or, "What the hell are you talking about?" or worse, "I don't really care." Shouldn't keep me from saying what needs to be said or keeping me from being me. But it also can't define me. How do I discern that boundary? How do I let something affect me without letting it define me? How do I change my beliefs without locking people out?
Finding that balance then establishing a solid foundation there of, this is "emotion land" and this is "the realm of identity." In order to pass from one to the other you need to get a visa from me.
I'm going to be asking God for His guidance and wisdom on this one for sure, and taking that step of faith that I am allowed to be me because I am already accepted, loved and covered. "Your value was already established at the cross." Yes, yes it was.
P.S. So the answer to the question is "Yes." Cowboys are free to drink whatever kind of coffee they want, because that's not what defines them, and neither is the fact that they are a cowboy.
