It was a big deal when McDonald’s came to Scotch Plains in the late
sixties. We all had seen the ads, and were enticed by the 15 cent price, but
had never really seen one. We had Snuffy Jr’s, which was pretty good, but ate
up a quarter of a dollar for one. Still for less than a buck you could get a
burger, fries, and a Coke, if you happened to have that much money. But when
Mickey D’s opened, conveniently placed on the wrong side of Route 22, the
busiest road in the US of A, it took an extra half mile to walk there, walking
past Snuffy’s, and many succumbed. But when old enough to drive, it all
changed. And the importance of friends in low places became important.
The attraction of McDonald’s brought jobs to many of my friends, Rogo among
them. He was a nice guy, a bit crazy, and always was looking to help. And he
devised a way, probably copied it, to give away free food to us. We would go in
when it was busy, he would notice us, and we would go to his line and order a
Coke. Then hang out, and a few minutes later he would summon us, giving us a
big bag full of fries and Big Macs, saying “sorry to keep you waiting, the big
order took a bit longer.” And we would walk out and feed the group waiting in
the car. Thanks Dave. Another way that worked was having an attractive girl
friend who one of the counter guys had a crush on. But was too nerdy to even
talk to. I would wait in the car, she would go in, flirt with him, and again a
bag full of food for the price of a Coke. No date for him, the closest he would
ever get was flirting with her. I wonder how they counted my meals in the
billions served on the sign?
My first night working at Sears in the warehouse, I got a call from the
loading dock to bring down a TV. Being the new guy, my number was up, as it was
many times that night. The guy working the dock was named Hazel, and after
loading the TV in the man’s car, he drove off, and Hazel stuck a $20 bill in my
hand. I had never been tipped before, and later when I showed it to another
guy, I found out Hazel had sold the TV out the back door at a five finger
discount to a friend. The $300 TV was probably sold for $75, and I was part of
the deal. Which ticked me off, I wasn’t a thief. Not counting free food of
course. But as I was to learn, many things go out for less than the asking
price. If paid for at all. One hot Saturday afternoon window air conditioners
were selling due the hot weather. When a customer asked if they were truly
portable, the salesman answered “yes. They are light enough to carry,” which
was his mistake. “When the customer doubted him and asked “if I can carry it
out of the store, can I get it for free?” the eager young salesman said “of
course,” never thinking the old man would or could. But picking one up, he
headed for the door, the salesman giving chase, and security stopping him in the
lot. A huge argument followed, and after a few minutes the customer got the air
conditioner for free, and the salesman got chewed out. I wonder how many free
items this man had accumulated over years? So maybe there is no free lunch, but
free Big Macs and free air conditioners, eaten in front of your free TV, if you
know the right person in the low places.
We all want to make it to the top, some even want to start there. But we
all have had low end jobs, which has provided us with learning experiences not
covered in the employee handbook. The old adage “you can’t teach experience”
probably meaning more than we know. But we all have that first day on the new
job, where we know nothing, are subject to being picked on, and unless your
father was the boss, you have to earn any respect you get. But being the boss’s
kid can also have its disadvantages. Co-workers show you fake respect, others
down right dislike you, while the rest just tolerate you, knowing when summer
ends you will be back off to school, while they will be making the money for
your dad to send you there. And with each new job new challenges face you. The
disciples faced this, being asked to leave their careers, some fishermen, one
tax collector, two anarchists, and one banker. They were asked to drop what
they were doing and start on a new venture, to follow this itinerant preacher,
who no one had ever heard of. And to be his disciples....would you have given
up your day job to follow him? Yet they did, and their qualifications from past
jobs had little to do with their new careers. They would be part of a three
year course, and then suddenly left on their own to go out and succeed him. All
without warning, although looking back they realized he had warned them, they
just didn’t get it at the time. Sound familiar. But these 12 ended up in the
food industry, feeding 5000+ twice, the janitorial industry cleaning up
afterward, in the distribution industry passing out the leftovers, and the
hospitality industry seeing the all were fed and welcomed. Not qualified from
their resumes, they met the needs of others, following the example of their
leader, Jesus. They received no pay, were sent out with only what was in their
pockets, and told he would provide. All from a man who never owned property, a
business, a place to sleep, or had a bank account. Far different from religion
today, years ago when looking for a position, the churches wanted degrees,
education, experience, and offered benefits and a salary. In only 2000 short
years how the ministry has changed.
And I find I learned more from being out in the world than from being
separated from it. Just as Jesus told us, to be in the world, not of it. And
the church was its own world that I wanted to be out of. I wanted to minister,
to be where the action is, and found having friends in low places was superior
to having friends with titles. Friends who knew the business of the gospel and
lived it. Who had nothing but what was on them, and found that all you need is
Jesus. And when you are led by his spirit, where he guides he provides. And
allows others to be blessed along with you. It was the friends in low places
who actually got things done, without programs, processes, and procedures. Who
had to rely on God for all their needs. Who took to heart Peter’s advice to
“lean on Jesus, casting your cares on him, because he cares for you.” Knowing
that the problem may be solved today, but will reoccur tomorrow, and needing to
lean on him again. And again. So if it is true you cannot teach experience,
where do you get it?
By walking with God. By being out doing it, by being there. Education may
be OK, but application is where it is at. Too many wear out the seat of their
pants in school, while others wear out the soles of their shoes. Application of
the gospel is where Jesus was at. And still is. It may get you an A knowing
the 12 tribes, but when a hug is needed rather than words where will your
education leave you? We are told to be wise as serpents, but gentle as lambs.
How many lambs have been led to slaughter with knowing all about Jesus, but
never knowing him personally? Reconsider your walk with him today, are you a
Bible anyone would want to read?
You see when I became a manager, it was the things I experienced, that I
looked back on. Books gave me theory, life gave me experience. I learned there
are no free lunches, and watched carefully as my workers would try to challenge
me. I knew nobody tipped big for nothing, it all came with a price. And to
watch my words, as someone will take me up on them. I found the friends I had
in low places were where the action was, who lived for Christ with no
compensation. Whose hearts were tested daily, and whose examples I still look
to. And so I prefer to be a child of the king, and if anyone asks about what I
do, I answer “I work for the world’s richest Jew.” No corner office, no
secretary. No salary but you cannot beat the benefits. If you are stuck in
school, don’t let your life become like summer vacation, no class. Get out and
be among the people. There are always needs to be met, Jesus told us “the
harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” To some that means more work,
but to me it means more blessings. More Jesus. Who had many friends in low
places, and a direct line to the boss in heaven.
It doesn’t take skills to work for God, just obedience. But more than
anything it takes love. And listening to his spirit. If you know it all but
show nothing, here is a job offer for you. Get out and be among the world. Be
the one who shares Jesus by their actions, using words only when needed. Be the
gospel of Jesus Christ and become someone, rather than a something. One man
directed 12 others, who went out and changed the world. Now, would you like to
super size yours?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com