I was excited for my friend when he called and told me he was named
Facilities Manager of the new Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort. I was even happier
for me when he told me he wanted me to be his supplier for all the parts and
chemicals I sold. I was paid off straight commission, and if I wanted a raise I
was told “go sell something,” so both of us got raises that day. The
appointment was set to come down and begin, and he told me while doing the set
up Loew’s would cover my meals. They had a nationally famous chef, and even the
employees in their own cafeteria benefitted from his recipes. And I would get
to sample them for free! After an exhausting morning, I went late to lunch, and
stood in line. Two people, a big man and a small woman were serving us
cafeteria style, and it was fish and chips day. As I got closer I saw she was
giving out smaller portions than he was, so like the man trying to be the
millionth customer in line to win the prize, I tried to figure out how I could
get his portions. When I saw it could go either way, I was close enough to make
voice and eye contact and told him “take good care of me man, been a long
morning and I’m starved.” Without a word he smiled, and began loading up a
plate, my plate, and handed it to me, before the guy in front of me and we all
smiled. That guy knew too, and was taken care of. The meal was excellent, and
I went back to work almost in a fish and chips coma. Coca Cola providing the
energy needed. And I laughed to myself as I thought how both servers were
giving out sizes in proportion to themselves and their size. The small woman
gave out portions she would eat, and the big guy did likewise. Her large was
his small. And my friend and I laughed when I told him, he had seen the same
thing and often maneuvered to get the larger serving. And here I thought I was
on to something, which I was. Just not the first, or an original. A lesson to
be remembered.
How big is your God? It depends on your outlook of him, and how you see
him. Your relationship with him. When asked the question “can your God make a
rock so big he cannot pick it up, do you stop and wonder if he can?” Or is your
God beyond testing, especially such foolish things? We are told he will supply
all our needs in Christ Jesus, but do we whine and cry anyway? Funny how we
trust him for salvation which is invisible, but don’t for life’s needs which
are. Maybe a short refresher course is in order. It is called trust, in all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. And your position in
line. And the portion you get. I was so concerned about getting a bigger
portion I forgot how Jesus provides, even in a cafeteria line. When even an
obstacle to me was no big deal to him, or the guy who was serving. In his
serving me I found unity with a meal, our minds and eyes met, confirmed by
voice. Do we reach out to the Lord the same way? Do we wonder why we don’t get
when we are in a position to? What was god thinking when we asked and he
answered differently?
The difference is being in the spirit, and when all parties are it is
called spiritual unity. We are born into it when saved, and we cannot work for
it. But we can render it obsolete when we try to do things ourselves. The
server and I were in one accord, I desired and he provided. I had made my case
for being hungry. Yet many times we walk at a different pace than God,
forgetting Jesus never hurried, and was never late. Like riding with a man who
rides at 60 and me at 61, after an hour we will be a mile apart. Only one mph
can make a big difference. Are we walking with or chasing after God? He will
not go so fast we cannot keep up.
Yet things will hamper our walk and unity in the spirit. We are told to be
at peace with one another, and when we are in the spirit, we get the proper
serving. We leave refreshed and fed. Yet when we are not in the spirit, we may
get what we want, but miss what the Lord has for us. Some eat fast to get to
dessert, some forego dessert. But in both cases concentrate on Jesus who
provides both. In all ways acknowledge him.
And the world sees us through our actions. The world talks of unity, but
unity in the spirit is much different. Such things as being unforgiving,
bitter, resentful, and hateful to each other hinder unity. We are to forgive,
pray for each other, to be tenderhearted and forgiving to each other, for in
this we are allowing the spirit to work in and through us. We cannot do these
things ourselves, it takes the spirit to unite us as one. Jesus loves
unconditionally.....what conditions do you put on your love?
We all got fed that lunch time, and even her large being his small may have
been too big for the ones her size. But we all got fed, hunger was eased, and
life went on. Remember how God loves to bless and give good gifts, big to us,
small to him. Looking back to when he fed the 5000, each one got what they
needed, no one left hungry, and much was left over. The original doggie bag was
invented. While some brag on him feeding the 5000, Jesus saw each one was fed.
He took it personal. Do we? He cares about the one in 99 who is lost and
hungry. We brag on the 99. Make it personal today, let him who calls upon the
name of the Lord be saved. And fed. And blessed. And carry it on to others.
He knows just where you are in line, and he saved that place for you. Only in
the spirit will you fully know why. We give thanks before a meal, do we after?
Something to think about after eating....people are watching then too.
Our large is his small. Never let it be the other way around.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com