A la carte faith
Having children in high school really does mess with you. To begin with, the small child you once built towers of blocks with or held to comfort them is now towering over you and often you are the one needing comfort. There is also an element of being reminded of how old you are as you go to make a connection to your high school days and realize it was very long ago. When they talk of the high school atmosphere or life and rhythms you automatically find yourself saying, sometimes to yourself, “When I was in high school” or even “Back in my day.”
Recently, talking about high school life, I was reminded of lunch, “back in my days,” and the wide variety that was offered to students. Not only was there a hot lunch line, but there was a salad bar, ice cream line, and an a la carte line at our disposal. What power laid in our hands as students! If you didn’t want to be given a tray that was already chosen for you the a la carte line was there so you could pick and choose. With the right amount of money, you were able to cater to your own specific needs without being subjected to the lunch ladies. Now, though I usually remained faithful to my lunch ladies and took the tray that was offered, especially on cinnamon roll and chili day. (I learned the more you were respectful and kind to them they would let you choose your cinnamon roll!) I digress. I knew the a la cart was there for an option. It was nice to know you had the power to select and create a tailored lunch.
With the rise of fast-food restaurants, we have become accustomed to a “have it my way” mentality. This has affected more than our food choices but in all areas of our lives we have adapted to the a la carte way of life. While I could go on with all of culture’s shift towards this mindset, I am concerned of the negative effect on faith. When Jesus calls us to follow, there must be a distinct relinquishment of the “have it my way” mentality. This is affirmed when Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross.” The Kingdom of God is not an a la carte option that we get to pick and choose what we want. To follow Jesus means we are willing to follow at all costs and be willing to reposition ourselves towards others as servants and give up our a la carte mentality.
While many will noddingly agree at a hyper spiritual level; a dissonance is created at a very practical level. The other day I was doing something for the church, and I thought, “I don’t want to do that or that’s my way” crossed my mind. Immediately I pictured Jesus in the garden praying, “Sorry Father, your will does not really go with my a la carte plan.” Oh wait…Jesus did not pray that he said, “Not MY will but YOUR will be done.” If we believe the Church is a part of the Kingdom and in fact, local churches are outposts, then we have to be willing to let go of the a la carte mentality and take up our cross. The Church exists for God’s glory and in a very practical way to be an outpost for the Kingdom. Our goal is NOT our own preservation but for the advancement of the Kingdom. Daily as a community we have to pray, as individuals and a community, “Not our will but Your will be done.” You decide Jesus!
Historically, the Church has not always gotten it right. In fact, at some point we shifted to an a la carte model because we wanted to attract as many people as possible without calling them to relinquishment and discipleship. When that happened, we stopped making disciples and created consumers. Hallelujah! we can see that a spirit of revival is pouring over the Church and there is a return to discipleship and an end to a la carte church. To be a part of God’s Kingdom and His Church is to wholly accept all that is offered and expected. There is not an a la carte line in God’s Kingdom. Just like the hot lunch line, it may not have “all” that I want but the Church is for God’s glory and to carry out His Plan and not ours. Do you want to be a part of God’s Mission? Find a community that cares and proclaims the Gospel and get ready to roll up your sleeves. Don’t worry, as we share and care for others, there are always perks, like getting a bigger cinnamon roll!
