Ever wonder to yourself, “Lord, why’d you choose me to do your will?” I sometimes get too caught in this stupid question like I actually believe I can comprehend the answer the way God understands it. I have a hard enough time walking and chewing bubble gum at the same moment, so whats left to ponder. Maybe its insecurities or fear, but I’ll often say to Him,”why not someone else better to do the things you want me to do”. I work at my parent’s Mexican restaurant where I basically just “hang out” as my job. Often, I’ll be there waiting tables during the day. I’m not a small talk person. I either say what I need to say and get on with life or I’ll actually be interested and discuss life. So I guess you could say being a waiter can be torture for me. The work is easy, but it’s just the relationship thing that bugs me. It so fake to me sometimes. “Hey guys! How are you doing today!?! Thanks for coming in! Yall have a great day!!” But of course, that’s only because I make it that way. One of my main struggles at work is caring for the customers. I’m not talking about getting their order right or bringing their food out quickly. I’m talking about being sincerely interested in how a complete stranger’s day is going. What’s new in the lives of my regular customers. Not wearing a fake smile and positive attitude. I can be very good at that phony act, but I hate that crap! It’s an awful skill I’ve picked up over the years. I’ve been working at my parent’s restaurant going on 3 years now, and it’s taken me until recently to realize that God is using my job experience to shape me for the World Race and life. I mean come on…can you imagine going on a year long trip, meeting complete strangers all the time and having a “mask” on the entire time and being fake. What actual child of God does that!? What a horrible and wasteful experience that would be!!
It’s difficult a lot of times for me to get over myself. Especially at work, where I often wonder off in my own little world. Somebody could be having the worst day of their lives or be looking for a friend because they’re lonely and I’d just go about with my life and wait their table like there’s not a care in the world. I can be pretty self-centered sometimes. Clearly that’s often how our society is. Everyone is in a hurry and gets too “busy” to stop and spend time with others. One year is long time. But one year traveling the world with close friends sharing and living the Gospel can go by fast. I’d love to say that everyone I talk to will become saved. Truth is theres probably not enough time and energy in me to spend with every person I encounter. So, as long as I’m reminded of this thing called “time”, I believe that should give me plenty of motivation to make the most of my time with everyone I cross. No matter if it’s a life long friend or somebody I share a 2 hour flight with. You can have an impact on someone’s life in seconds. I feel its easy to say that we should believe He chooses us to do His will because by doing so, it will bring us closer to Him and bring more glory to His kingdom. Not because we are skilled or talented in a certain field. You really can do amazing when you set your mind to it. Far greater than you ever knew you could do something. Who cares how corny that sounds. It’s true. For me, that should be a simple enough answer to why he chooses us. He blesses us, so we can go out in the world and bless others in His name. How cool is that!?!
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain
strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1-2
