I entered my first coffee shop as an adult in college and the sweet aroma mixed with the soothing sound of coffee drips quickly became my go-to. Back then, the bottom line took a back seat to connection. They opened the bookcases, laid out the board games, turned on the fireplace, and invited you to stay. It became a place filled with deep conversations with friends and hours of writing, reading or studying, and groups of young people trying to make sense of the world.
It was my warm embrace, my peaceful escape from a chaotic life. As time moved on, the conversations became limited, the tables shrunk in size, the bookshelves transitioned into displays of to-go mugs and bags of coffee beans, the games were given away, and community leisure was traded for business efficiency, but it was still the weekly visit to the coffee shop that filled my ever-changing world with the gift of stable consistency in the form of comfort and warmth.
I remember the season vividly when the leaves of familiarity and solace began to change. The shop still appeared bright that day, but it felt eery and strange, like there was something dim just beyond the glow. The atmosphere grew distant and cold, and lonely. There were no more books, games, or fireplaces and prices were higher, but it was something else.
The treasure I anticipated, waited for, and paid for no longer filled me with warmth, satisfied my peace or quenched my sweet tooth. The remnants left a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I watched my routine from the outside like a slow-moving transition. Every visit for a morning mocha faded more and more like leaves slowly starving on the vine, but I didn’t want to accept what was to come. I didn’t want them to fall. I just wanted them to stay beautiful,
but each week, my wait in line became one of less anticipation and more dread as I was forced to watch once-vibrant leaves fall one by one to the ground.
Little did I know that a few years later, God would reveal the mystery, and I’d walk over the piles of death, kicking and enjoying the crunching sound.
The company Starbucks loudly supports everything woke and pride, they are against Christian views on marriage, they’re anti-2nd amendment, they support abortion, and have a mythological creature representing seduction as their logo. They not only speak on these issues, but also proudly invest money into these areas.
They are a business that can do what they want and I personally don’t believe it’s Christlike to judge anyone over a coffee because not everyone is aware. I used to go there frequently, but even with the nice people, conversations and evangelizing I enjoyed there, the Spirit convicted me of my hypocrisy in supporting sins I had turned from and spoke out against. I was entertaining and minimizing sins that Christ died on the cross for.
Although it’s not something worth dividing over, I do think it’s wise as a Christ follower to think twice about supporting them. Satan is very aware of how to hinder believers and there can be demonic oppression that enters into our lives with things like this. Sometimes, the impact isn’t realized until we walk away and the bondage is lifted.
This seems like a small thing, but these daily acts of choosing truth over the world and self are meaningful to Christ. Our daily choices are significant actions of warfare in the spiritual battle we are in. God wants us to remain innocent of worldly things that prey on the flesh, so we can draw closer to Him and live in His freedom.
Self-denial is part of the spiritual battle and it can feel costly at times. It is hard to let go of routines and say goodbye to old pieces of ourselves, especially when we know those seasons will fade into nothing more than distant memories, but the hardship is worth the peace and protection God provides.
There are many other good options for coffee and treats to enjoy that don’t come with a side of oppression and conviction.
For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. – Romans 16:19-20
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? – Galatians 4:8-9
General info about Starbucks:
Starbucks supports abortion rights. In May 2022, the company announced that it would cover travel expenses for employees and their dependents who need to access abortion services in states where they are restricted. Starbucks stated that it believes in providing its employees with access to quality healthcare, regardless of their personal beliefs.
Starbucks actively supports the LGBTQIA2+ community through various initiatives, including partner resources like health benefits and reimbursement for name and gender marker changes, partner-inspired merchandise and community investments, and public advocacy for civil rights and equality. Their commitment to LGBTQIA2+ inclusion dates back decades, with efforts ranging from offering early benefits for same-sex partners to actively working with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
Starbucks provides inclusive health benefits, including coverage for gender-affirming procedures for transgender partners.
The company partners with the NCTE to offer reimbursement for costs associated with changing names and gender markers on state and federal identification for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming partners.
The company has Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines to support and provide fair treatment for transgender and gender-diverse partners.
The Pride Alliance partner network was formed to advocate for LGBTQIA2+ inclusion and has been instrumental in developing these company initiatives.
The Starbucks Foundation awards grants to LGBTQIA2+ organizations and supports community investments in the U.S. and Canada.
Starbucks uses its voice to advocate for civil rights and equality for the LGBTQIA2+ community.
Stores display Pride flags, and Starbucks participates in local Pride events and marches to support and celebrate the community.
Starbucks was an early adopter of inclusive benefits, extending health benefits to eligible partners in same-sex domestic partnerships in 1988.
