“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.“ (Philippians 4:13 NIV)
There is one person being helped by the customer service clerk at the one open register. The clerk is having some difficulty ringing up the order, but the customer making the purchase was very patient. There are only two other people in line, an irate customer, next to be served, and myself. The irate customer was yelling for another clerk, stopping anyone wearing a store uniform and asking them if they could run the other cash register. One clerk, a stock clerk, called the manager on her walkie-talkie. She then informs the irate customer that someone would be right up. “Right up” in her mind must have meant that the help should pop up out of nowhere, much like an imaginary genie coming out of the bottle. She continues to verbally insult, actually assault, the clerk that was trying to help the first person in line. Eventually another person comes up to and she is met with some aggressive words. After release all her anger, anxiety, and awful display of patience, the irate customer slips in these words, “God bless you honey.” Her words of blessing, in the mind of any nearby observer was negated, canceled out by her behavior. She should have let her words be “Lord help me,” prior to releasing her rampage of needless complaints.
While all this is playing out, I’m looking at products on the impulse aisle that leads to the cash register. I see some white and black plaques that would fit in with the décor of one of my rooms. One stood out more so than others. It said, “I Can. I Will!” The irate customer could have benefitted by applying that sign to her behavior, and thus she could have acted in a better way. By the way, she had one small item in her hand. She should have been thinking, “I can be kind and I can be patient,” products of Christian love and then she should have taken it a step further and said, “I will do just that!”
We often boldly proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” but let’s be honest and answer this question, “Do we take it another step further, to the ‘I will’ step?” Think of how much better our days would be if we would just take it another step, depending on Jesus to provide the strength we need. Think about how much better our witness will be! Think about how more believable our testimonies and declarations of faith would be! Think about all the unnecessary tension that can be avoided! Think about how quickly mentioned ideas for ministry can go beyond words and result in the work of the Lord being performed at your church! Think about how the words you sing, “I’m living for Jesus a life that is true,” can be reflected by your non-verbal actions! Think about how you can show love as indicated in the closing verses below! Did I give you enough to think about this Wednesday morning? Somebody just responded, “You think?” That’s okay because if I have helped you in one small way, if I have helped pave the way for just one positive interaction or positive response today; if I have assisted you so that will take it a step further in some area of your life to move from “I Can” to “I Will,” then my labor is not in vain. Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King