The Golden Arches

The glory of fast food came, in my opinion, from McDonald's. Wikipedia, the source of all important research, says White Castle is credited with being the first burger joint. But as far as I'm concerned everyone is trying to become the next McDonald's.

McDonald's has fast food down to a science. Every store looks basically the same with exceptions dictated by regulations or regional influences. By the time my son, Max, hit age two he knew what the iconic golden arches meant. (And no, we didn't/don't visit that often.)

Your experience at every McD's should be pretty similar. The tile and paint are the same. The trim and wallpaper always matches the McDonald's three blocks away. The "friendly" cashier greets you in their visor with the big M. There's a special McDonald's language ("Do you want fries with that?" and "Would you like to Supersize your meal?" [At least they used to ask these.]) And as far as I can tell they still haven't gotten the memo about how creepy the giant fiberglass clown with ketchup-red hair watching you order is.

Your fries are supposed to taste the same. The shakes should all have the same consistency. Your burgers are made the same. Your experience at McDonald's in NY should be no different than in LA, ATL, KC, CHI or the bustling metropolis of Truth or Consequences, NM. (I hear that place really is bustling.) In other words, once you've been to one McDonald's, you really have seen just about all of them.

Some people view church and Christians like McDonald's (on so many levels). They expect every church to be the same. Every Christian is supposed to think just like them, dress just like the, talk the way they talk and, generally, experience God the way they do.

There are certainly standards of unity to be followed by God's people. And since they are His people, God sets those standards, not His people. God calls us to unity in His Spirit which leads us into all truth. His Spirit will lead us in all truth.

God also loves people from every tribe, tongue, nation and people. He has people in all churches and even people in no church at all. God isn't out to just save a select few. God is trying to save every person. Unfortunately, Christ said it wouldn't happen. (Matthew 7:21-23)

I wish the church could be more like McDonald's in this way: we all offered the same experience despite our different perspectives and cultures. Jesus told us the world would identify us as His by our love. Not our cantankerous attitudes, gossiping, sour faces, pious actions or frumpy clothes.

Unfortunately people meet one or two or ten Christians who lay the smack down as the fashion police, food patrol or music troopers (or whatever else is their thing) and they believe Christ must be the same way. We're used to uniformity in organizations. And if we are burned enough times we don't go back (and we tell all our Facebook friends about how awful it was).

If you're a Christian it's time you started letting Christ put the love in your heart. If you're not a Christian and you've been burned before, believe Christ when He says even Christians make mistakes. Let Christ love you and lead you to Christians who have figured out the love thing. Let Jesus lead you in all truth.

The Truth of Perception

Not long after I started as a pastor in my first district my head elder pulled me to the side and told me, "Pastor, perception is 99% of reality."

We do not, as a general rule, develop our ideas of other people over a long period of time. Don't agree with me? Then why aren't job interviews years long in multiple settings? Why do we consider "speed dating" a realistic way to find your "soul mate"? Why do we cross the street when we feel threatened or uncomfortable with those who are quickly approaching our little sidewalk square? You've even probably defended a friend or family member before with, "They're really cool/nice/fun once you get to know them."

The truth is perception really does form 99% of our initial reality. (I say "initial reality" because our perceptions do change over time.) Your actions, dress, mannerisms, demeanor, posture, breath, hair color, facial expressions, and words all carry an overwhelming weight in developing perception. The places you go, the people you hang with, all say certain things about you whether we like it or not.

Some people act like they don't care about these things when secretly we almost all do. Some say Jesus didn't care about who He was hanging with, but I believe He intentionally looked for the perceived low-lifes and spent time with them. He knew the perception of God was already one of unapproachability. He wanted that changed. He knew everyone already thought God was on the side of rich, the beautiful, the physically healthy, the well-dressed and the powerful. He meant to show God is in love with everybody.

The best way to change the perception of people is spending time getting to know them, no matter how difficult it seems to start. Usually we find at least one thing we like about everyone. (Although, admittedly, it may take a great deal of work and patience with some.)

The best way to change the perception we have of God (and we all have one) is spending time getting to know Him. It seems so simple and still it can be so hard to start. But God promises if you search for Him He will not hide from you. He promises you'll find Him if you put all your heart into the search. And finally, I guarantee your perception of God will change (whatever it is) the more time you spend with Him. Let God change your perception of Him into a literal reality.