God’s Deli

During my few months time in the local deli, I’ve found my mind pricked upon a thought that has been stated and spoken before by men of greater renown than I. However, it is true that when prompted by your Maker you must act according and swiftly, which leads me to this commentary of truth.

If you ever have, as you probably do occasionally, walk up to a deli; you’ll find a variety of choices of cheese, meats, and even salads. One customer will order a pound of this and a half a pound of that, receiving their products with the pinnacle of customer service, and with little agitation to time or money. We all, including the writer, have been accustomed to choosing and picking what suits our taste, avoiding anything that looks unappealing or roughly offensive.

However, there is a deli, and please excuse the description, that we all will stand before, where the choices are not plural, but single; leaving you with a joyful smile at the lone spread or a deep resentment for the Manager’s choice of the deli delight. Customers come and go – -even complain when what they we want is not what they see; dismissing the department with little thought.

How so with God’s Deli? We come and look asking for a pound of “my ideas,” but the deli carries it not; or we may try out petition for a quarter of a pound of “doing it my way,” but we find also that this deceptive confection was cancelled many year ago. Nonetheless there is a great helping of “pick up your cross and follow me” available in abundant supply. The Manager explains the reason for His decision and makes it clear that this is all there is to satisfy. So we look, and some walk away giving the Manager a deep glower, hoping not to encounter Him again.

As life would have it, we find we cross His path again, sometimes by volition and at other times by the circumstance of the day. Again we ask for a precise measurement, but find the Manager has not changed the selection. “Pick up you cross and follow me” is still offered and is on sale with “No one comes to the Father but by me.” This time you may look a little longer and even take a glimpse at the comment cards that reveal the Manager’s service rating at one hundred percent every time for every customer. However, the narrow selection suits not your fancy and the deli is rejected.

Life brings you back to that deli with the same selection as before and it could be the last time there. Now the quick dismissal is not easy as before for time is taking its toll with interest too; but the spread is just as fresh as it was when it was first offered thousands of years ago. You ask for the spread, and to your surprise it is free. In haste you take a bite finding the Manager’s selection to be like that of milk and honey. As you chew the Manager gives you an expedient cup of “living water” and such a meal cannot die away nor is limited to just one helping.