My new dishwasher was supposed to come today, well actually
yesterday. That would be the dishwasher that will replace the one I was ranting
about back in March in the Fish or Cut
Bait devotion. (I obviously am a little slow myself to cut bait.) But it didn’t.
I just got a call from the installer saying it will be on
Monday. That’s fine as I’ve had my on again off again, love hate relationship
with my current dishwasher for over five years, so I can wait three more days.
The only reason I even mention it is that one, I’m excited to be getting a new,
dependable dishwasher and two, the store claims next day delivery and
instillation. Now I’m not the best with new math, but I bought it on Wednesday
and they’re delivering it on Monday. Not so next day.
No big deal, just a minor irritation as we like to get the
deal that was advertised. Whether it is a “free” three-day vacation, a next day
delivery or fifty cents off on a bag of chips we all hate the old bait and
switch. You know that procedure – offer one thing then, oh sorry, we’re out of
them will gladly sell you something significantly more expensive. (Just like you got today when you turned in
for something witty from the Minivan Momma and got me, The Heretic, instead.)
So where am I headed with this? Wish I knew. Oh wait, I do. Church.
Church? Yes, church. Remember what we’re supposed to be
selling at church – and no not tickets to the youth mission trip dinner
fundraiser. In fact that’s part of the problem - we’re not supposed to be selling.
We’re not even giving. God is. All we’re to do is pass it on. (Now sing along
with me – it only takes a spark.) Yet,
I’ve seen it my whole life, the act of trying to lure people through the doors
with pack-a-pew Sundays and free donuts if you bring a friend. I knew that we’d
hit the lowest of the low the time a church offered raffle tickets for Wal-Mart
gift cards if you signed up to do volunteer
work. Just so many things wrong with that picture, I won’t even start.
Think about it. Jesus
never sent an advance team into a village with Myra’s Camel/Goat Emporium gift
cards before him came, yet the crowds still showed up. So here’s my absolutely
heretical thought for today – how about we actually live out our Christianity
through loving others. And if we truly do, I bet you’d never have to dangle
gift cards out there for people to want to be a part of your church.
Oh, and about the Fifty
Shades of Grey. This story has
absolutely nothing to do with it. That was my own bait and switch to get you to
read.
