It all took place while I was in line at the drive-thru at McDonald's...and I'd never imagined it would happen! I had pulled up to a long line and someone was having trouble ordering about 6 cars ahead. I noticed a lady who had come in from the side who was stuck because the line was so long and she couldn't go back or get around us, so she had to wait for someone to let her in. Well, I decided that I was her man. We all sat there waiting for that one car to finish and finally it moved. I was almost out of the parking lot so there hadn't been anyone behind me. As the cars began to move again, I waved at the lady and let her know that she could enter in front of me. I watched as she moved slowly to the line and wasn't watching me, but the car in front. And suddenly, a car came up behind me, swerved around me and turned in front of me and would have hit the lady but fortunately jammed on her brakes to put her car at an angle to the line. She had apparently decided to pass me and to try to force her way in front of the lady I was letting in! She was going so fast; I had no time to react in any way. So in front of me were two cars now at different angles trying to get in the drive-thru! I sat there with my mouth open and all I could think of was .... really? Our stunt driver was caught in the lane now and I could see her face in her mirror, and she could see mine...and I just smiled at her. While we inched forward, I thought about what Paul had said about us living the Christian life...a life that reflected well on Jesus Christ. He said that if Jesus' love for you has made any difference in your life, love each other, don't push your way to the front, but put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. I thought about times when I had crossed that line and wanted to be first, to take advantage of a situation at the expense of others. I wasn't happy about the way she acted but was thankful for the lesson that I was reminded of. If we have gotten anything out of following this Jesus of the Bible...we need to live like him in humility and sacrifice. It was a great reminder to me that what I do will reflect on the reputation and honor of this Jesus that I claim to follow and serve. So, love God with all your heart...but don't forget to love the people around you
too. You are a walking and talking ad, for better or worse, for this Jesus who is the Son of God. Make it a good one today! Here's our Bible verse for today...
Philippians 2:1-4 MSG If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care (2) then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. (3) Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. (4) Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Remember I'm praying for you!
With love, PJ
too. You are a walking and talking ad, for better or worse, for this Jesus who is the Son of God. Make it a good one today! Here's our Bible verse for today...
Philippians 2:1-4 MSG If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care (2) then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. (3) Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. (4) Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Remember I'm praying for you!
With love, PJ