The professional sampler
Eating at the mall the other day I noticed people walking around with toothpicks and a glob of meat. I remembered that the restaurants around the food court were giving free samples of their entrees. Every once and a while I'll accept the food thrust into my path but usually I'm focused on Taco Bell or Sonic… But, what if you could eat lunch everyday by going from sample to sample? hmmm… I wonder…can you get full sampling food around a mall? Seems like something is missing in the experience.
I think about the consumer attitude and the church. It is both a church and individual issue. Can anyone get full with just samples? The idea of the sample is to get you to eat the entree not to fill you up. Yet, I wonder how often that happens. The church should offer more than a "sample" or it will be driven by people's preferences. I believe it begins with an individual, individuals make up the church so, it begins with me. I must change my taste (preferences) and open the door so Jesus can come in. Then, our experience has to become something we truly enjoy. Too often church or Bible study is something we cross our arms, watch our watch and tolerate. We settle for a little Jesus, a little prayer, a little taste. Next, we must seek koinonia fellowship. Koinonia is a connection of the soul not just things we have in common. We settle for a clique of friends too quickly. Genuine interest in God's heart and others' lives are ingredients for life change. A sample whets the appetite but until we change our steps and stop we miss the meal. When will sitting down at the table and feasting on Grace and Truth become reality? Satisfaction and contentment come only from the Source not a sample.