Theologically I have no problems with what John 3:16 says, but in practice I most certainly do. Let me explain:

As some of you know, I started working as a host at Chick-fil-A to earn some extra income to help pay for my daughter’s wedding. Well, the Lord more than provided the necessary funds from a dear friend and so there was no longer a need to work the part-time job, at least for financial reasons. However, the thought occurred to me that for “ministry purposes”, probably one of the best ways I could use my time would be working two, four hour shifts, clearing the customers tables, refreshing drinks, emptying the garbage and cleaning up spills. I tend to be self-centered and it certainly takes me out of my comfort zone, so why not stay?

However, between working at the college, pastoral responsibilities and other everyday tasks I was considering giving my two week notice last Friday. I don’t know if it was coincidence or the Lord’s doing, but last Friday it appeared as if every rude and obnoxious customer in the state of Kentucky was in the store that day.

All customers make a mess but some of these folks were going out of their way to make messes for me to clean up. There was one customer in particular that spilled his large drink and acted as if nothing happened. I went to his table with paper towels to clean up the ice and coke all over the floor and he wouldn’t move. When I excused myself and asked if he would mind going to another table, he didn’t even acknowledge my existence. And then I hit my breaking point. As I was on the floor trying to scoop up the ice and liquid he walked right into the puddle crushing ice and just barely missing my fingers!

The decision had been made to give my two week’s notice. I didn’t need to put up with this kind of junk! And I certainly wasn’t about to put up with a young punk like this! I didn’t need the money, it was getting extremely difficult to manage the time and the thought of putting up with customers like this was out of the question. It was then the Lord quietly but frankly put this thought in my mind, “These are the people I love.”

Enough said. I had forgotten why I was there in the first place. I will continue, at least for a while to clean up their messes since He, Jesus, continues to clean up ours. A friend last week told me humble pie is difficult to digest. And it is. However, when one gets over oneself it doesn’t taste that bad.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)