life, the drive thru, the church, and Jesus

It has been a while as I don’t have private access to the internet any longer. I will update you a little on life and then type out some things that have been on my mind since the current life changes.

So, I have been working at Starbucks in Commerce for the past few months. I recently made it my only job. I really enjoy the atmosphere, my co-workers, and the majority of the customers, so far it has been worth it to me to leave my previous job. I have time to work on my music, occasionally have some day time with Kristen, and I just feel better about not commuting and spending so much on gas. Kristen is working at Chateau Elan doing some clerical things and doing some day camps for kids. She is doing an independent study this summer. It has been real hard to juggle all of the responsibility that working and going to school requires but God is good.

Now that I have a job that requires a lot of customer service I get to encounter all sorts of people, and a lot of the church attendees I have encountered have been somewhat disappointing. I am sure that I am no picnic to serve either, maybe not even to encounter behind the counter. There have been a couple of situations that have really challenged me to check myself and evaluate how I present myself to others. The other day a man came through the drive thru, he barely acknowledged my existence. There was no conversation, no eye contact, and he answered my questions with very minimal answers (yes, no, fine). After the transaction had been tendered, and the coffee handed out I was presented with a tract and asked “will you do me a favor and read this son?” The man then drove off not leaving me with any options of who to contact if I had any questions, or an invite to church. I had spent several minutes unsuccessfully trying to make conversation with this man who I had already assumed thought he was too good to spend his time on earth talking to the operator of a drive thru window and definitely had no concern about where I spent eternity, and he handed me a tract before he even offered a smile. I am not the kind of guy who will hand out tracts, I think that they serve a purpose when used in conversation but it really makes me a little mad when they are handed out without any effort as if they were some sort of business card or discount coupon. I am not saying that a tract left on top of a urinal hasn’t ever done any good, I just think that it is important to present the truth with love. (Ephesians 4:14-16) After taking this tract from this man I began to wonder what his pastor was teaching, or if he was just missing the relational part. There have been several other situations where a customer had their bible beside them but were very impatient and rude, or wearing a tee shirt that promoted their church and were short in their replies. I know that it is so hard to catch every opportunity to share Christ and it is sad when our busyness and schedules overshadow the Joy of our salvation; When we wear tee shirts that promote our church and invite people to activities and things that feed our desire to be entertained before we invite others to Worship, when churches look more like country clubs or a social activity than a group of worshippers who are sharing life together with the common goal of bringing glory to God, carrying each others burdens, and furthering the Kingdom of God. As I ponder these things I challenge myself to share the truth with love and Joy, in my interactions with people and to invite people to come and experience Jesus in the church whether they come to mine or one across town, and not the music experience or refreshments but Jesus. I am praying for the Church in America that the buildings will be filled with people hungry for Jesus, that they will find truth and that Joy will flow from our lives and that we won’t have to check our attitudes but we will naturally Shine the love of Christ, and never miss an opportunity to share the good news.