Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

How is the Service?

By Guest Blogger November 11, 2011 Character, Devotion

Yesterday, my husband and I tried a new restaurant. Well, it’s not really “new,” just new to us. All the restaurants around here are new to us since we just moved to the area. We’ve enjoyed trying them out and discovering which will be our favorites.

The one we tried yesterday serves fried fish, seafood, and Cajun dishes. I had grilled Tilapia and shrimp, Cajun fries and Cole Slaw. My husband had fried catfish. The food was delicious and well-priced. But I don’t know if we will eat there again. Why not? The service was probably the worst we’ve ever encountered.

The atmosphere was casual. They take orders at the counter and then bring the food to your table. I sat in our chosen booth while my husband ordered. It took a full 15 minutes to place the order. The employee was far from informed about the menu and knew less about the register. Thirty minutes later my food came, but Wayne’s did not arrive for another twenty.

We weren’t the only ones having problems. A family behind us had a similar experience. The husband’s meal arrived but the wife and son’s did not. Fifteen minutes later the waitress discovered their meals cooling off in to-go boxes on the counter. Then I heard another man asking why they would not honor the coupon he brought in. And someone else across the restaurant asked why they still had not gotten their food. It doesn’t matter how good the food and the prices are, if this kind of service continues the restaurant won’t be in business much longer.

We Christians have the best news, the best gift to offer in the entire world:

All of us are sinners and deserve death, eternal separation from God. But God offers forgiveness and eternal life through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. And all this is free! A gift of grace and mercy from God!

So why isn’t the world jumping at the chance to accept this free gift? There are many reasons people reject Jesus. Sometimes though the problem is in the “service.” Sometimes we Christians give priority to other things. Sometimes, we don’t know how to share the Gospel message. Sometimes, we share the news with a self-righteous attitude. Sometimes, our lives don’t look like they’ve been radically changed by the Spirit of God.

Peter spoke directly to this issue:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 4:15-16, NIV

Here is a summary of Peter’s points:

  • Make Christ your absolute priority.
  • Know how to share the Good News about Him.
  • Remember you are a sinner saved by grace.
  • Share the Gospel respectfully and graciously.
  • Live a godly life so no one can slander Christ’s name because of you.

Have any of these points struck a chord with you today? Is there one you particularly need to work on in your life?

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7 thoughts on “How is the Service?”

  3. Iris

    As always, your post is powerful Kathy.

    I have seen may of my brothers and sisters share the free gift of God in a self-righteous manner (“you go to hell if you don’t…”). I think the best way to share the Gospel is to share our own testimony of what God has done through His redemptive work on the cross…I hope that I will get the courage to share my testimony more often, not only on the internet.

    Thank you Kathy for the challenge to be more conscientious about sharing His grace and mercy.

  5. LaurieLaurie Adams

    Great post Kathy! Too many times we miss out on opportunities to share this wonderful free gift with those who are just waiting to hear it. Thanks for sharing this encouragment with us today!

  6. Esther Joy

    Being the wife of a fast food restauranteur, I can vouch for the importance of service! …And yes, I can see where that would also apply to us as Christians, although I never thought of it in that context before!