Taking the Day Off

I had perfect attendance through grade school!

No joke! I really did.

In a world where little Johnny has the sniffles and Susie's parents want to take her shopping for her 10th birthday perfect attendance is becoming somewhat of an anomaly.

Not me. Every morning when the lights came on, I was up and ready to go.

What if it was my turn to be the line leader? What if our class had PE all day? What if the cafeteria was serving McDonald's Happy Meals for the entire school? What if my girlfriend got a love note that read "check yes or no" from under her desk three rows across the room?

I had to be there.

I was so eager to get to school the next day that sometimes I would sleep on an already made up bed in my school clothes. I  can see my mom now just rolling her eyes asking, "What are you doing?"

Actually, I don't know if that was my eager side or lazy streak! It just didn't make any sense to take a day off.

Have you ever taken a day off?

I don't mean a day off from work. Or a day off from going to the gym. Or even a day off from fixing the kids dinner and having to make a last minute pizza run.

Have you ever just taken the day off from making good, sensible decisions? One of those days where you look back and wonder, "What was I thinking?"

I believe the majority of us live most of our lives making sensible decisions. Not perfect but acceptable. Choices, looking back, maybe we could have tweaked or thought through a little better but not necessarily things we regret or keep hidden in shame.

Take for instance a guy many people know by the name of Samson. Here's the big picture of his story; a strong guy with long hair who had a crush on a gal named Delilah.

In spite of some of his severely off track behavior he "led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines." Contrary to popular belief he really did exercise moments of faithfulness.

But watch what happens next. He "went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute, and he went in to spend the night with her." Talk about a senseless moment! He was most definitely taking the day off!

Before we're too hard on him, let's be honest. Haven't we had similar lapses in judgment? Maybe not sleeping with a prostitute. But maybe anger, addiction, gossip, greed, lying, lust, porn, or pride has become the motive for us taking a day off.

Just before his death, some of Samson's last words were "God, remember me" and "strengthen me." There wasn't much he could do to correct his bad behavior. It was going to be difficult to right all the wrongs from the days he took off. But, nevertheless, he decided it was time to have a conversation with God that I'm sure was long overdue.

Perhaps you and I still have several days left to recover from the days we've taken off. And if so, maybe we need to use the same language as Samson and ask God to remember us and to strengthen us. No more senseless decisions. No more lapses in judgment. No more days off!

My Pleasure

What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

For breakfast; Hardee's or Bojangles? With kids; McDonald's or Wendy's? With friends; a Zaxby's platter or Little Caesar's Hot-n-Ready? These decisions are always tough and vary with the shifting circumstances of who, what, when, and where.

My favorite restaurant, without question, is Chic-Fil-A. I don't know if it's the product of such great food, the customer service that goes above and beyond typical fast food chains, or the leadership and character qualities they employ with each member of their team.

But there's one thing I know I can always count on; it's hearing these words ringing from every checkout line, "My pleasure!" Without fail, those words always follow the exchange of my money for their #1 combo with a lemonade.

Have you ever thought about what it would sound like to hear God say, "My pleasure?"

He did.

"It pleased the Lord to crush Him."

Jesus was betrayed by His own disciple, falsely accused by His own countrymen, beaten by Roman guards, and ultimately executed by crucifixion and it pleased the Father to see His son agonizing in pain under the weight of such a devastating event.

"Father if there is any way to pass this cup from me, nevertheless may your will be done." And it pleased the Father.

"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?!" [My God, my God why have you forsaken Me?] Yet, it pleased the Father.

How could He be pleased?

Think about the paradox of this event. Jesus had all authority but surrendered himself to the Father's will. His suffering brought pleasure to the Father. He gave up His life for us to have life. His body was broken that we may become beautiful.

He tasted the bitterness of death that we may taste the sweetness of life. Because of this exchange, this transaction, our account has been paid in full with His words, "It is finished!"

How did Jesus muster up the boldness and the breath to speak these words? Very simply; He was obedient, He was willing to surrender, He had faith in His Father.

And what about you? What is required of you to hear God speak "My pleasure" over your life? Obey; God's will be done. Surrender; give your life into His hands. Faith; trust Him with every situation in your life.

The daunting task of crushing His son was the necessary payment to make this great exchange. And on Sunday when Jesus arose from the grave the invitation was given that we may receive life.

How fitting is it that Chic-Fil-A would be closed on Sundays; the day God opened the door to life and provided a seat at the table of His presence?