This post originally appeared on Laced With Grace, November 11, 2011.
Photo from Photobucket.com
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 3:15-16, 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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