I met with a room full of doctors and surgeons this morning and explained a concept to them through a funny hat I had to wear in high school. I got a job at my dad's restaurant when I was in high school and was ecstatic to have an easy job so I could make some easy money. All my friends were just waiting for me to start so that they could try and scam some free food off of me. My first day, they sent me to the bathroom to change into my new uniform, which wasn't too bad except for the hat. This stupid looking hat was a big puffy chef looking hat violently colored by a black and white hounds-tooth pattern. I put it on with total disgust and shame. I looked at myself in the mirror and asked myself out loud..."How bad do you really want this job." I was pretty vain for sure - but this hat was really stupid looking. My excitement was now tempered with obligation. I actually faked a comment card and told whatever manager that I (as a customer) thought the hats were ridiculous and had to go.
I am meeting too many people who serve Jesus as if they had a stupid hat on. They don't enjoy it - they are just there to make a paycheck. Their salvation is one in which Jesus is a boss waiting every morning by a time clock. If they do a good job, their boss loves them. If their game is a little off - well, they get demerits and maybe a reflection of disapproval through their paycheck or something. It is a salvation by one's own hand, one that is impossible to enjoy. Our joy is mingled with a weird obligation.
James says to "consider it pure joy" in our walk with Christ, but some have more of an alloy. James says that even in trial we are to enjoy our position and grace. I agree. I want to see a city serve God with faithfulness because of joy and confidence in Jesus, not an obligation due their mean boss. It changes everything, especially from the vantage point of a critical and skeptical world.
I have been asking people, "How much do you enjoy Jesus...not the church, or the Bible....but Jesus?" I usually get fours or fives. People usually avoid those things they don't enjoy. Kind of like I did with that stupid hat. I can't even speak of that hat without saying "stupid".
We aren't fascinated with what we don't enjoy. We aren't devastated by the sacrifice of something we don't care about. We don't relax around people or things we don't enjoy. You get the picture I hope. Ask yourself, "How much do I enjoy Jesus?" Maybe it is time to quit "working" your tail off for a boss you avoid, and begin enjoying the King who defeated death with you in mind. What is the "hat" for you? What is alloyed or mixed with your joy of Jesus that brings an obligation?
Excellent illustration! Now tell the truth. You still have that chef's hat don't you.
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