The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
It should be every church’s goal. Y’all know I am partial to food. We have been friends for a long time. I think I was probably one of those kids that was born with a craving for homemade mac and cheese with fried chicken. “Hey mom, can we skip the milk and go straight for the grease and carbs?” Yup, sounds like me. One of my favorite fast-food places is Chick-fil-A. Have you ever noticed something unusual about this place? Well, let me help you…there is always a line. Period.
It seems that no matter what time you go by to grab your chicken fix, people are lined up and being served. If you have ever been to one, you also know it is a very unusual place. First, the food is really good. Their chicken, mac and cheese, milk shakes, waffle fries—even their salads are off the scale. Now about their salads…I have to take that on word of mouth since I avoid anything green! Every time I see the commercial for their creamy mac and cheese, I start drooling. One day, when the line isn’t insanely long, I’m going to get some. But the bottom line is that they make sure they have something to sell and they sell lots.
However, the really big thing…even bigger than their food…is their service. I have never seen a friendlier team of employees. Every person who works for them seems to be genuinely glad to work there and genuinely glad that I stopped in. Every time I have stopped, I have felt like I was the most important customer in the place. One time at a Chick-fil-A at the airport the person who waited on me wasn’t quite up to par, but truth be known they are still far and above most places. And, it doesn’t stop there.
Remember I mentioned those long lines? It is just amazing how organized they are in processing their customer’s orders. In the drive thru, they have employees out in the parking lot taking orders even before the customers get to the window. They value their customer’s time and prove it by making sure they don’t have to wait any longer than absolutely necessary. By the way, it is a Christian based company and a lot of their business principles are straight from the Bible. People first. And, have you noticed that they choose to be closed on Sundays? Do you know why? God first. Love God…love people.
All of this caused me to wonder something. What if, we, the Church, did business like Chick-fil-A? What if we “marketed” our message like they market their products? What we have to offer is the best news ever—the Gospel or Good News that broken people can be healed—that forgiveness is available for any man, woman or child who is willing to place their trust in what Jesus has done. I mean that is valuable. Chick-fil-A believes in their product, but do we really believe in ours? I think we should.
What if every person who came through our doors felt like they were the most important person in the building? What is every person felt they were valued—both by God and by the church regulars? You can take it to the bank that God indeed values every person regardless of race, social status, or sin list. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should be redeemed. It says it in the Book. Perhaps the most important working team (think committee) in the church is the hospitality team. Their job—to make every person feel welcomed, accepted, and wanted. Yup…that would work.
Well, I do like a good chicken sandwich and a good helping of mac and cheese, but I love the way these folks do business. I do think it should be the goal of every local church to love God…love people and make it obvious that is what we are about. The God we serve is worthy of more than “good enough”…He deserves our very best. Why? Because He gave His very best for us. He is for us and through Him anything and everything within His will and purpose is possible. In these days we have an opportunity to show off our love for God and others. It can happen…it should happen…because He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 