“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28
As we are considered ‘senior citizens,’ Katie and I often go out to eat based upon what coupons or discounts we have on hand. Settling on one of our favorite eateries, we approached the doorway and could see through the glass that there was going to be quite a wait. I opened the door for my wife and ‘felt’ like there was someone behind me. Turning, I did not recognize the monster!
An older lady was coming up unusually fast, about 10 feet behind me, with her husband about 8 feet behind her. Doing what I always do, I held the door for her… and then for her husband. Katie was waiting just inside the door for me when the couple blew right past her and up to the receptionist! Though I swear I could see a tail dragging behind her, I didn’t even notice the horns as they began protruding from my own brain! And then it happened!
We prefer eating to waiting, so have no problems sitting in the bar area when seats are immediately available. As I looked over the heads of the crowd to the bar, there… RIGHT IN FRONT of the big screen TV, were 2 seats. Before I could even take one step… the monster and her man rushed up and took them!!!!! My face flushed red with… rage!??!!
When I get like that it takes a little time for me to cool down. I turned and saw my favorite waiter standing there. He extended his hand, happy to see me, when I said, “did you see that? DID YOU SEE THAT!!!” He hadn’t. But his remark about me being HIS kinda’ pastor when I suggested we ‘tip her off her chair’ – woke me up! OOPS!! Right then I began to recognize that the monster… was ME! When my wife rolled her eyes… it was confirmed!
I am in the running to beat ‘Paul the Apostle’ for the title of “Chiefest of Sinners!’ I’m convinced I’m pretty much of a shoe-in! But for some reason Jesus is NOT content to let me win that medal! He wants to make me more WINSOME! Knowing myself, I guess I COULD be a great example of what HE can do with a monster like me after all!
This morning my Master gently laid this thought on my heart. “If you were WILLING to let her go in front of you at the door, why would you NOT be willing to let her go in font of you to the bar?” Hanging my head in sorrow, I had no good answer. I had let Him down again. But then, as I should have expected, at the touch of the Master’s hand… I felt the monster simply disappear!
