You Want Fries With That?
Thursday, May 30, 2002 (22:41:36)

Posted by Rod

It's lunch time and you are in a hurry.  You decide to stop and get some "fast food" even thought you know better.

You decide to go through the drive-thru, thinking that will be faster that parking your car and going inside.  Bad idea.  After waiting in your car for over 20 minutes, watching as your loving, Christian attitude withers away, a distorted voice takes your order over a crackly intercom.  "Wrigga frizza mugga wap?"  "What? I'm sorry.  I can't understand you."  He repeats "WRIGGA FRIZZA MUGGA WAP?" only louder this time.  Whatever.  You nervously give your order, hoping that someone on the other end can understand you better than you can understand them.  He responds "Pagga thip da wunna" and you instinctively drive to the next window.  A friendly representative reaches through the window, mumbles some more and takes your money.  They return with your change and usually manage to drop some on the ground far from reach.  They hurry away and return with bags filled with a culinary disaster only a teenager with a cast iron stomach could ingest...

You hastily check your order before you drive away, but the driver of the car behind you honks his horn.  WAIT A MINUTE!  As you are driving down the road, you realize your order is short one hamburger, one order of fries and you have no straws.  You shake your head at the disappointment that is only increased when you take a look at the mystery meatburger you are about to eat.  ICK!  What is that stuff!  You cringe as you take a bite and a glop of special sauce oozes out the other end, landing in your lap.  That's okay.  The efficient employees at Botulistic Burgers thoughtfully gave you one thin napkin which is jammed in your Biggie sleeve of french fries.  Life is good. This is the type of service we have come to expect from the fast food industry.  I am afraid this is the same type of service people get in some churches. Here's how it goes.  You sing a few choruses, first fast and then slow.  Pray.  Take the offering while someone plays the piano.  Pray again.  Give the sermon.  Pray and send the people home. Give me your money.  Here's your burgers and fries.  Have a nice day.  Go away. You have given your request to someone you do not understand.  They processed your order with the masses and sent you on your way.  Unfortunately, your needs are not met. Who's fault is it?  Yours. Not the answer you expected?  Then don't get out of line until you get what you came for!  Make your request known and always check your order.  You may never receive your blessing if you are too lazy reach for it. Genesis 32:25-28
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.  26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.  Jacob wrestled with an angel.  He was losing so badly that his leg was dislocated.  Still, he refused to let go until the angel blessed him.  Jacob would not get out of the line until his request was met no matter what it cost him.
Matthew 15:22-28
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.  Even when Jesus tried to discourage her, the woman persisted and would not leave until He met her need.  What was the motivational force in both of these examples?  F-A-I-T-H
and
P-E-R-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-E  They had faith that their needs would be met and stayed in line until they were. The Lord meets needs on a personal level.  When He touches us, we are never missing anything.  If you are not getting your needs met, you are either not not persistent or you are in the wrong line. Stay on your knees longer.
Talk to your pastor.
Talk to your deacons.
Talk to the Lord. Apply some persistence to your faith and see what you get.
- Rod