Fearless Faith

Coffee is best "done" with others, conversation and fellowship combining with the ritual of sharing to create moments in which our lives intersect with others in mostly positive ways. According to coffee research.org, 54 percent of the United States population drink coffee regularly (over 3 cups per day) while another 25 percent drink it occasionally. Overall, daily per capita consumption of coffee in the U.S. is 1.9 cups for men and 1.4 cups for women.

I pretty much like my coffee simple; black but not too strong, piping hot (whatever "piping" may be), but definitely not luke warm which is only a moment or two away from being "luke cool" in my mind. I rarely add anything to it except to keep my hands busy on the occasions I am in a public café. My daughter is particularly fond of adding creamer to my coffee in order to observe the miniature white storm clouds as they billow up from the bottom of the cup.

As kids, the daily gathering of coffee drinkers at the local soda fountain seemed fair game for our jokes and ribbings. We christened them the S.O.Y.B.A.G. (Sit On Your Backside And Gossip) Club. A successor group was dubbed "The Supreme Court." Years later I am much more charitable as I recall that assemblage, knowing that we all desire community that allows us to be who we are and to share in a sense of safety and belonging.

Coffee is opportunity, the opportunity to open doors of conversation, to share in the hospitality of the presence of others. In the 12th chapter of Romans, Paul implores us to "keep [ourselves] fueled and aflame" in part by being "inventive in hospitality" (Rom 12:11-13, The Message). The writer of 1 Timothy identifies being hospitable as a leadership trait (3:2) and Titus calls us to be welcoming to all (1:8). In 1 Peter, we're encouraged to be quick to "give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless," and to do so cheerfully. "Be generous with the different things God [gives] you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident ... (1 Peter 4:8-10).

Churches can become too narrowly focused on their particular blend of evangelizing, believing it to be the way. At times, it can really put people on the spot if they are not "saved." It suggests an end not a beginning, and a conclusive rather than questioning faith. Instead of monitoring who has been saved by our standards and who has not, perhaps we ought to ask, "With whom have I been hospitable this day?" Evangelism is about sharing one cup at a time, be it water or coffee or tea or fellowship. It is about being in relationship to others every day. It is about being good neighbors and dependable friends. It is being gracious enough to let someone else provide the coffee today knowing that tomorrow you may be called upon.

Share your cup of faith at a moment's notice, but do so in the knowledge that God's movement in the lives of others is on God's timetable not ours. Relax, wrap your hands around the mug, secure in the presence of God's community.