We got to church a bit early this morning. I wandered over to the coffee counter, grabbed a paper cup and plunked it under the coffee carafe. Filling my cup all the way to the verge of spilling, I fixed a cheap plastic lid on and I was ready to go.
I wasn’t really in the mood to talk, but I sat down on the comfy chairs in the middle of the foyer anyway. Daydreaming and enjoying the surge of caffeine hitting my bloodstream, I relaxed in a small slice of solitude. I took another sip of coffee and a familiar stranger seated himself next to me. I probably should have known his name. I’ve talked to him on more than one occasion, but I guess we’re just friendly strangers. I prepared myself for another one of those slightly forced, cordial conversations with extended periods of uncomfortable silence. How can I fill in every pause and gap of this conversation so I don’t have to feel weird? Don’t you hate those awkward silences where neither person knows what to say? A million conversation starters filled my head. What should I say to this guy I don’t even know? How’s work? How about those Yankees? It’s really nice outside isn’t it? All safe possibilities…
Then I noticed the enormous keychain linked to the belt loop of his jeans. Huge would hardly describe it. Remember the dorky school janitor who had several hundred keys fastened to his belt? Yeah, it was that big. There was no way around it. It would have been like trying to ignore a piece of food stuck in his teeth. It was distracting to say the least. I had to mention it.
Wow. That’s a really, really large keychain.
(Pause)
Yeah, just another consequence of sin. We live in a fallen world.
I wasn’t ready for that answer. Ever make a retarded joke and get a profound answer? Yeah, this was one of those moments. I was fooling around in the surf and this guy took me 10,000 fathoms deep with one comment.
I’ve never ever thought so hard about a keychain. Why would we need keys or locks if it weren’t for sin? We are so comfortable living in this fallen world. There are a billion things that we deal with everyday that are a result of sin. A set of keys is such a simple example. We look right past them as everyday realities, but they are so far from the intended plan.
It makes me think. This guy carries around this heavy keychain everywhere he goes. He carries this weight around his belt loop all the time. We all carry a big keychain don’t we? It just becomes part of our daily existence and we forget it’s there. But, it is there.
Ever feel like your keychain is too heavy?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone offered to carry it for you?
