Her name was Phyllis, and no one was really sure where she came from. She
had just been appointed the department manager at the local Sears store of the
candy department, and things were about to change. Even though our store had
some 200 employees, we all seemed to know each other, yet no one knew her, and
so we welcomed Phyllis. And as a Department Head showed her the respect due her
for the position. But that all was about to change, as the best thing you could
say about Phyllis was she was annoying. Her hair style looked like her prom in
1959, and hadn’t changed in the 15 years since, one of the brighter ones among
us admitting “you have to get invited to go to the prom, who would invite
Phyllis?” and changing the origin of her hairstyle, I think you get the idea.
Pinch your nose and talk, that was her voice, and she was all about doing things
by the Sears training manual. We weren’t, and the fun was just starting.
Candy came in 20-25 bulk boxes, and was stored in a cooled room we all had
a key too, until Phyllis arrived. Noticing certain types of of candy always
coming up short, we all sampled a few pieces when we put away the delivery, mine
was orange slices. But soon she changed the lock and maintained the only key,
reeking havoc on the Railway Express and UPS drivers who had to wait for her,
which seemed to take hours. She trusted no one except for Herman, a big guy I
worked with who lived on SnR’s, the private label M&M’s, and soon they
became adversaries. She would unlock her door, and go in, he would lock her in,
and neglect the beating on the door to let her out. So a doorbell was
installed, but on the inside where no one could hear it except on the sales
floor, it was soon removed. But the room did have a phone, part of the
interstore system and PA system, and she would bellow out in her nasal “Herman
Reeder let me out!” confusing and amusing many customers, which led to Herman’s
boss getting chewed out, then Herman, who only laughed, promising not to ever do
it again, until the next time. Phyllis finally got smart, after many months,
and took the lock in with her. When I left Sears and stopped back, she had left
too, and no one knew where. Or cared. Except Herman....who had to find a new
target to annoy.
I once believed “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” Until I
ran into another guy who believed the same way, but differently. I still am
wary of those who trip over scripture, but never get its meaning or
application. Strictly adhering to the words, they never get the flavor of the
spirit, of the love of Jesus, and his forgiveness. They are like Phyllis,
taking over a position, wanting to do well, but living only by the rules. With
no sense of what the spirit is wanting to convey. If you are like me, you find
the more rules you have the more rules you have to break, and the more
opportunities to need to be forgiven. And that for every Phyllis there is a
Herman ready to help them along. Ready to point out the fallacies of the laws,
and the lack of enforcement, or consistent enforcement. They live in a
legalistic world, more concerned about catching you tripping up, than enjoying
the grace of God. They quote Jesus, but never quote his love, and are absent of
any evidence of the holy spirit. A rule for every event, and soon can remember
them all, and die in their own quagmire of sin. The system was to be the
solution, except it never involved Jesus. Or his love. They talk of faith, but
rely on rules, and miss out on many blessings. And end up like Phyllis locked
in the candy room with no way of escape....except Herman.
Over 50 years ago the CHP did an experiment to deal with the out of control
freeway traffic. It was impossible to pull over all the speeders, so they came
up with a high visibility rule, and it still works today. Rather than pull over
each car for exceeding the speed limit, they keep traffic moving, and the ones
causing a problem are noticed and ticketed. Which is why you see so many CHP
cars along the road. Yet the drivers still haven’t figured it out, as when they
see a Chippie, they slam on their brakes, causing the car to nosedive, admitting
their sin to all, including the officer, and the 200 cars behind them that slam
on their brakes too, and cause a traffic jam. Traffic was moving safely, until
their conscience slowed it down. Now I will not advocate breaking the law, but
doesn’t common sense remind you to keep things moving? Remember that the next
time Ms. SUV while on her cell phone is startled and slams on the brakes. And
you narrowly avoid her.
So God has given us his spirit, written on out hearts so it is always with
us. To keep us safe. It is our sin that finds us out, not God, do we have
enough faith to trust the spirit and let him guide us? Or do you live or ride
in fear of making a mistake and being caught? Of being like Phyllis, living by
the book with no human interaction? Legalism is a lonely ride, riding by faith
in the spirit isn’t. The law kills, the spirit gives life. Yet so many are
like a study I was in one night on the holy spirit, that the teacher started out
by telling us the rules of the evening. He didn’t get it....and we helped him
not to. For where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, no matter what
the situation is. Or how ridiculous it seems. We may remember the words of
Jesus telling his disciples and shipmates to have faith in the midst of the
storm, but they forgot he was with them. We forget that when Jesus is in our
boat, it will not sink, and the storm too will pass. God said that? I guess
that settles it....but do you believe it?
Today you will encounter situations that no laws or written for. Remember
the law Jesus gave us, love him with all your heart and your neighbor as
yourself. Simple enough, and when you are loved, and forgiven, you can love and
forgive also. No special key needed for access, no amendment to a law you
weren’t aware of. Keep the traffic flowing, the spirit in your life, and the
storms will pass. Jesus never left you, and his boat doesn’t sink. Quit
tripping over words on a page, and start living the love he proclaimed.
Finally my boss at Coca Cola came up with a remedy for the candy stealing.
we supplied snack vending machines too. He installed a candy machine, and put
a 5 cent cost on each bar. And the thefts stopped, who wouldn’t pass up a deal
for a nickel? For a $1 candy? Not a rule I have seen since....common sense
isn’t really that common.
Or be ready to deal with the Phyllis in your life, revealing your whole
life over the loud speaker. Quick, somebody unlock the door and let the spirit
out! For sin like candy can come in bulk, and we need a way out. Jesus is the
way....funny how the padlock was to keep us out and ended up keeping her in.
Phyllis never got it, do you?
Now, he who has no sin can be the first one in the candy room.....all
others pay 5 cents.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com