Face it, you live in a hamburger, fries, and a Coke world. The most basic of American meals, except to the straying Vegan, we all worship at the altar of ground beef. Add in fried potatoes-we used to call them French Fries, and a Coke, or diet, and you have the most basic of all meals served in America. Ever have a Big Mac attack? Sometimes you just have to have those two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. Which Bob's Big Boy perfected years before the Kroc invasion. But just having the desire for a burger can confuse the palate for which one it will take to satisfy the taste buds at that particular moment.
Why does a Double Double taste so different than a Steak and Shake burger? What makes Wendy's so desirable sometimes? How come Five Guys customers wait in line for 30 minutes? It's all meat isn't it? Why when going through New Mexico last week did I have to have a Lot A Burger, with green chile, at Blakes? Why does a burger from my friends at White Diamond in Clark sound so good? Do you think it's possible to sneak a White Castle bag of burgers past my wife? Did you know they are steamed? Different choices for different moods and tastes, yet only Burger King advertises "have it your way." Which only confuses me.
With all these choices to make, why do so many stick with Mickey D's when a Bakers is just next door? Or travel from coast to coast, eating their fine, paper wrapped cuisine, when there are so many other choices, and better ones at that? It seems that when away from home, there is a security in eating at Mick's. You may not care for a rubbery cheeseburger, but at least you know what to expect. What would, or could happen if I stopped at a What a Burger, and it wasn't? What if I was from California, and they put mustard on my burger, and ketchup on my hot dog? Could I survive the insecurity that would come from that first bite? What if-it was different? But what if, it really tasted better, and I couldn't get one like that at home? Do I move? Give up burgers all together? So we stick with what is familiar, and in our world of domestic cuisine, never wander far from the golden arches. Never knowing, but always wondering, just like Columbus did, what if the world isn't really flat? What if local burgers have local flavor, and taste different? Would my friends believe me? How would I ever recover from my new found taste delight?
Believe it or not, we all walk by faith, even when it comes to a pattie of meat. We also walk by sight, smell, and how much does it cost, and how good are the fries. And our walk with Christ can get as boring as the same meal, night after night. When God provided manna for the Jews on their migration, they got bored with it. "Not Carl's Jr. again," they would complain. "Let's go back to Egypt, better food, and yes we are slaves there, but we can choose from the menu." Never trusting God to fully develop their taste buds for manna, and complaining instead of asking for a peek at the heavenly cookbook that came with it.
Today many mainline churches have gone the franchise route with God. Stay within the guidelines of the franchise, and you will be successful. Your attendance with be steady, your income will be sufficient, and no one will get upset with trusting God, they will be safe and secure within the religious experience you provide. But you will never know what God has for you. It takes a brave pastor to follow God. And go against his denomination. It takes a man of God to open communion to all believers, not just those who attend his church on a regular basis. It takes a man of God to trust God when God puts a new spirit in Him. When he could have a plain burger, but wants the Double Chubby Chuck relationship with God. For we truly walk by faith, trusting a God we can't see, feel, or touch, but who we know is there based on His spirit dwelling within us.
Are you getting fed, but leaving empty? Have memorized the menu, but never experienced a full meal deal? Why do your friends leave their church full and fed? Ask God. Tell Him you want more than the basics given out in repetition. You want the biggest, juiciest burger of God available. You want all the blessings, and yes, all the calories too. You want to be overfilled, just like your milkshake glass. But by the spirit of a living God. You want more Jesus than you ever had, and less religion. When asked if you had enough, be free to answer, "I want more!" And then let God fill you in ways you never thought possible. Leave church full, but with a "I can't wait for Wednesday night" attitude, still hungry so that you need another spiritual meal by Wednesday. Just enough flavor left in your beard, so you just have to have more. Become involved, instead of just a steady customer. Eat from the tree of life seven days a week, and experience new and exciting meals other churches tell you don't exist. Be brave enough to know all the songs without the songbook. Then, hand me a menu God, I want more!
And forget about going back into captivity-you have found the freedom in Christ that He promises to each one who calls on Him. And don't keep this new found freedom within the four walls of the church. Cruise the drive-up-get Jesus to go, and take his love outside of a building. Never forget, he is a God on the go, or you never would have gotten to where you are going in the first place. Or where you are going to go from here. Don't be a Jack in the Box Christian-take Jesus with you wherever you go. Share a burger of His love with a friend, and watch as you both never hunger and thirst again. He has been known to feed the 5000 more than once. With short supplies. No other franchise can do that. Don't you think He has a meal just for you? You will never know if you don't ask. Jesus Christ-still the best and only real meal deal out there. Make Him personal today.
Hey, can I have fries with that?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com