While sitting at a light with my visor up, the aroma of fast food
overwhelmed me, so I made a detour for an early lunch. Since my surgery I have
not eaten but a few burgers, and my cardiologist said it was OK once in awhile,
so today was to be that while. The sign in the window said “BURGER MEAL
SPECIAL $4.99” and I was hooked. I was greeted with “can I take your order?”
and I replied “I’ll have the burger special, please.” Simple enough, the
picture showed a burger with onions and tomatoes, can’t get more American than
that, the way I like them. The dining room was empty, lunch hour wasn’t here
yet, and I envisioned a juicy burger without much noise and confusion. “What do
you want on your burger? Chili, guacamole, lettuce, ketchup, mayo, or Chipotle
mayo?” No, just like in the picture. Wait, put some Ortega chilis on that,
I’ll pay the extra. And mayo. “Do you want cheese on it? We have American,
jack, cheddar, Swiss, or bleu cheese.” No cheese, loaded with sodium, just a
burger today. “What kind of fries you want? It comes with thin ones, but you
can have steak fries, crinkle cut, curly, or tater tots.” Hmmmm...tater tots,
I’ll pay the extra. “Do you want them Cajun, with chili, cheese, or plain?”
Plain was good, and was included, for another 50 cents. “What do you want to
drink? We have 6 types of Coke, plus diet, and for $1.50 you can buy our free
refill cup, the proceeds go to children’s cancer.” Obviously brought on by the
burger special. So I bought the cup, although I had no place to put it on the
bike, and had no intentions of returning. I was only 100 miles from home at the
time. “Let’s see, burger special with Ortegas and mayo, tater tots, donation
glass. Will there be anything else? Will that be for here or to go?” Here.
“That will be $9.75, cash or card.” As she counted out my change, and gave me
my number, my $4.99 special had doubled in price, the dining room was filling
up, I had a cup I will never use again, and was still hungry. And my wallet
lighter. And I had lost some of my appetite.
But when she called my number, and the food arrived, it looked and smelled
good, and the first aroma was telling me I was doing the right thing. Look at
all those tater tots, just need some ketchup now, some extra napkins. So back
to the counter I go, and wait, they are busy now. But soon I am back in front
of the food, and waiting to take my first bite of a real hamburger in months.
But it is so tall, I have trouble getting my big mouth around it, and force some
in. The flavor was delicious. Another quick bite, I am in hamburger heaven,
for only $9.75 and a refillable cup, but something is missing. All I wanted was
a burger with onions and tomato, some fries, and a Coke. They had forgotten the
onions. No self respecting burger has no onions? But I would suffer through it
without, my dream burger less than a dream. The tater tots OK, but I really
wanted fries, and I ended up paying twice as much and not getting what I really
wanted, or came in for. I was taken in by a pretty smell, an attractive price,
and soon overwhelmed by decisions to make. All I wanted was a burger and fries,
with a Coke to wash it down. Hours later the Ortegas would still haunt me, the
tater tots recycle again and again, and my wallet was lighter for the
aggravation. Whatever happened to the days of the simple “do you want fries
with that?” And the days of fast food being fast? Would I ever again get the
break I deserve today, would I ever have it my way, and would I ever look back
lusting for something hot and juicy? Too many choices, too many decisions, and
I still didn’t end up with what I ordered, or what I went in for, or what I
really wanted. The sign on the door when leaving only made me smile, “COME BACK
SOON, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU.” I’ll bet it was, and at prices I cannot
afford.
No church or religion was ever started with the idea it would not correct
all the problems of the current church. Lutherans would do it better than
Catholics, Methodists better still, Baptists still raising the bar, and cults
like Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses removing Jesus Christ altogether, and doing
it there way. And so we find so many today seeking and not finding, yet taken
in by clever lines, fancy ads, and promises of meeting your needs. We can be
taught how to go out witnessing, how to read the Bible in a year, how to go on
missions trips, and even support an orphan. We can support food banks, clothing
drives, and be entertained by guest speakers. Guest musicians. We can give to
special offerings, and even be told we are special, hoping it makes us feel
special. Isn’t that special? But in between the procedures, programs, and
processes, where is Jesus? What could be more special than him? What could be
more special than being assured of heaven, and being forgiven and loved? Yet
many churches fall short, a watered down gospel, and between 40 day plans, and
studies of books other than the Bible, we fall short. God has designed man with
a vacancy in his soul that only Jesus can fill. The other things are good, but
on their own can be gotten off the Internet, or at a discussion group. Like
fast food, it has become complicated, confusing, and even after 40 years I
sometimes wonder what’s going on? All I want is a simple gospel, so I can
understand it. I want it free, so I can afford it. Let God provide the extras
like he said he would, after seeking him first, he will add all things to us.
Yet amongst the family here I am amazed at how many have gone looking for Jesus,
and end up with a plate full of goodies, but not him. A Supersized service, a
cup with nothing in it to refill. Religion is what got the Pharisees in
trouble, and why they hated Jesus, he wasn’t religious. He was love and
freedom, not rules and regulations. He had no specials, he was special. Yet
many eat at the table of legalism, when they can be dining at the table of
grace. How many churches can place a sign on the exit saying “COME BACK SOON,
IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU!” And how many times do you feel like you were
served? Or just filled up your hour of responsibility to the church? Do you
want more from life and your God than just a fast food gospel?
Then turn to Jesus. His gospel is simple, only two laws. Love God first,
then your fellow man. And he helps us along, because someone is always waiting
to upset the peace he gives. And then he forgives, and we go on with the day.
No pledge cards, membership drives, or special seating. He is up front, and so
we can be too. Honest, with simple choices, we get to make. Heaven or hell?
Blessed or cursed? With open arms with nail pierced hands to help us when we
fall. So what do you want from God? From your church? Better yet, what do you
need? These things will only be found in Jesus. All else is like the special,
you end up with something else, and wonder why. If salvation is not mentioned
on the menu, you are being cheated. No love, move on. No forgiveness, forgive
and move along. But don’t blame Jesus, those people need his love just like we
do. Don’t become bitter just because a church is failing. Turn to God, let
Jesus guide you. Have it his way, and you will find he is the way. You don’t
deserve a break today, but he offers grace anyway. Even brings it to your
table, but we are invited to eat at his. Here or to go? Both, just as long as
Jesus is along.
Fast food needs to be fast to make a profit, religion shouldn’t. That is
why Jesus never hurried, and was never late. He could feed the 5000 for cheap
with doggie bags to go. He could heal blindness, lameness, and sin without
Obamacare. Don’t confuse Jesus and the church. We are the church, you and I
who believe. He is the way, Jesus the Christ. Our salvation. Our daily
bread. We need him. Supersized, just the way we like it. Don’t be taken in by
a sign promising a special. Jesus is special all the time, he never ends. Had
enough religion? Welcome to Jesus. One choice, one decision should be enough.
Now, how can I serve you today?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com