2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
I was reading this verse today at my desk at work. It brought me to something that happened yesterday that I forgot to post. This is something that has happened to me many times, and I am sure that many of you have experienced the same thing.
So I am looking for this church I wanted to fellowship with on Sunday, and got lost. After driving around for a half hour, I decided to move on. I passed by a sandwich shop that I had not been to in a while to get a bite to eat. I knew what I wanted, a big smoked turkey. So I ordered it, and it seemed like when he repeated my order he said small turkey, but was not sure. So, I took the receipt and patiently waited until he was done with the next customer. I asked him, “Did you get this as a smoked turkey or a small turkey?” He answered, “Small turkey, but it’s smoked turkey as well”. Thinking to myself, that a small turkey would be an appetizer for me, I kindly let him know that what I wanted was a smoked turkey, but not small.
He acknowledged this, but as we handled this the person in the back had prepared the sandwich and called out my number. The guy at the register went over and explained to him that it should be a large sandwich and that he’d take care of it. I didn’t say anything, just walked over to prepare my drink. Very quickly, my sandwich was prepared. As he was bagging the sandwich he asked, “So, do you want to take this one too as a snack?” I looked at him weirdly. “I insist, take this one too.” I agreed, then took out my wallet to pay the difference, which was like four bucks. Then he looked at ME weirdly and said, “Hey, there is nothing owed.”. I insisted that I pay, and he refused saying that he made a mistake. So I walked out with two sandwiches, the more expensive one was free.
Let us think back to when we have been in situations like this. Do we feel justified that since someone had done wrong, that we have a right to respond? That we should “go off” on them, or become aggressive to make someone correct the order? You know the phrase, “You can attract bees better with honey than vinegar” This is only one experience of many in which my calm response got me extra pizzas, free drinks, etc. Am I saying do this to get free stuff? No. I am saying, that at all times we ought to represent Christ. We should exhibit the fruit of His Spirit at all times. What I am saying is, God recognizes when we have self-control and self constraint, and will reward us. Maybe it is not a free soft drink at the restaurant, but maybe it is a release on a prayer you have lifted up. Just today, I took the time to speak to the person in the drive thru window to see how they were doing. As I blessed them, they looked at my McFlurry and recognized that the cup was not full. “Hold on while I go and put more in your cup.”, she said.
Can you hear God saying that to you? You pleased Him, you exhibited the fruit of His spirit, you were humble, you showed humility and patience, and in return He says to you, “Hold on my child, your cup is not filled. Let me fill that for you!” Or, “You don’t owe anything, take this one for free!” If you have had similar experiences, please post a comment in the blog section for others to see how God cares for those who do things His way. What is your experience, what is your testimony when you were patient in a time when you should have let loose?
Know that I love you with my heart!
His humble servant,
Brother Kelvin
