The cafe culture of Brisbane is one I love to explore.
Different vibes, quirky set ups and of course the taste of a delicious brew. Living in Australia has definitely spoilt me for the taste of a good cuppa and sparked my inquisitiveness for its customers’ stories.
My favorite thing about cafes is meeting the different people. Whether its the hustle and bustle of busy families, or overhearing chilled catch ups. There is more to a cafe than the coffee; there is story, there is a culture.
Culture; the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people.
One of the stories I got to hear today in Brisbane’s cafe Scout, was that of three American ladies who joined my table. They were on tour in Brisbane, opening up for a fairly well-known band here in Australia.
The moments in their life that affected their decision to be where they are now got me thinking about my story and the cultures that were a part of shaping me.
Life presents everyone with different opportunities and I believe a lot of our responses come from our culture. Perhaps its the characteristics of our family we observed growing up, our knowledge and or beliefs.
One thing that affected my culture hugely is believing we exist in this time and place for a reason, we have a purpose, even when we don’t know all the steps along the way.
For the first eighteen years of my life, I lived in South London England. As a timid, insecure teenager, I didn’t know the direction my life was heading. I don’t believe it was by chance that I have spent the last six years living in Australia; learning who God is and who I am in Him. I look back at my life, confident that God was writing my story, and with it, my culture changed.
When I was a wee twelve year old, I said to my mum, I am going to live in Australia on my own when I am eighteen. I look back now and believe it was God planting this desire in me. Before I knew Him, I already had a sense of my destiny.
From this point onwards, my life changed completely. My convictions, beliefs, conversations, relationships, purpose have all been influenced by the Christian culture and community I never thought I’d be a part of.
Rest assured that God has his hand over your story and in your culture. How much room you want to give Him in playing a part of it, is your choice.
Rebecca Bowie is a young Christian who is intentionally seeking after Gods heart and striving to love people with everything. Now living in Brisbane Australia, was formerly living in London, England. She's a full-time volunteer at Youth with a Mission.
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