Seriously, I really try to practice Separation of Politics and Blog - mainly because I am admittedly uneducated on such topics and prefer to make myself look good here - but there has been SO much hype in the Christian community recently (all over Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.) and I just can't keep quiet any more!
(This might, of course, also have something to do with the fact that I have been with academics all week discussing the power of the written word and the development of an argument... But, whatever.)
(This might, of course, also have something to do with the fact that I have been with academics all week discussing the power of the written word and the development of an argument... But, whatever.)
So... It is Wednesday, which is the day for confessing around here, and here's my confession: As I write this, I am sitting alone (and I mean, literally, alone - as in no one else is in the restaurant) at a fast-food sushi/rice bowl restaurant in a strip mall when there is a perfectly delicious looking Chickfila just across the parking lot. I can't really explain it, but I just could not bring myself to eat there today. Tomorrow for lunch, you better believe I'll be the first in line, but not tonight.
Here's where I'm going with this...
1. I love Jesus.
2. I genuinely strive to love all people - even the ones that think or act differently than I do.
3. I love Chickfila.
Those things are pretty much basic truths in my life; and, if you've been reading for any amount of time, I hope they have been evident. *Yes, they are in a particular order; and yes, there are quite a few things that come between the second item and the third - just in case you were worried about my priorities and/or theology.
Anyway, until recently, I never questioned whether any of those things were mutually exclusive...
I like Chickfila. I think they have the best darn chicken in America. I think they know how to treat moms and kids. I think their oreo milk shakes are life changing. I still plan to make it a regular part of my life, I just do. BUT, I didn't want to eat there tonight, because I don't want to somehow be a part of this whole show...
My feelings for the chicken sandwich is NOT a statement about my feelings for people.
Jesus LOVED people folks. He was about everybody pulling up a chair and eating TOGETHER - the adulterous woman, the tax collector, and the Pharisee - the churchy person who thought they had the right to judge other people.
I've seen a lot of quotes about Jesus loving sinners; and, I agree. But, here's the thing... We are ALL sinners, every last one of us.
If you DID wait in line for your #1 today, that's ok. If you never want to see another buttered bun with chicken and pickles again, that's ok too... But, bottom line? Jesus just LOVED. He didn't support the groups that hated, but he didn't turn down an invitation to dine with them either...
That's it.
Those things are pretty much basic truths in my life; and, if you've been reading for any amount of time, I hope they have been evident. *Yes, they are in a particular order; and yes, there are quite a few things that come between the second item and the third - just in case you were worried about my priorities and/or theology.
Anyway, until recently, I never questioned whether any of those things were mutually exclusive...
I like Chickfila. I think they have the best darn chicken in America. I think they know how to treat moms and kids. I think their oreo milk shakes are life changing. I still plan to make it a regular part of my life, I just do. BUT, I didn't want to eat there tonight, because I don't want to somehow be a part of this whole show...
My feelings for the chicken sandwich is NOT a statement about my feelings for people.
Jesus LOVED people folks. He was about everybody pulling up a chair and eating TOGETHER - the adulterous woman, the tax collector, and the Pharisee - the churchy person who thought they had the right to judge other people.
I've seen a lot of quotes about Jesus loving sinners; and, I agree. But, here's the thing... We are ALL sinners, every last one of us.
If you DID wait in line for your #1 today, that's ok. If you never want to see another buttered bun with chicken and pickles again, that's ok too... But, bottom line? Jesus just LOVED. He didn't support the groups that hated, but he didn't turn down an invitation to dine with them either...
That's it.
(P.S. Jen Hatmaker puts this A LOT better here. Seriously, just go read her here.)
Thank you for this. Whether I agreed with the whole debacle or not I was passing on cfa today solely because I wanted to avoid the entire mess. Drawing more and more attention to the two feuding sides isn't helping either cause but rather making a spectacle out of a serious issue. Hopefully people wake up and realize its a bigger issue than chicken sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteThanks, E. Totally agree with ya, girl. Sick of this whole thing and LOVED Jen's blog.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Check out this blog post too, by a pastor in SC. He said something very similar.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perrynoble.com/2012/08/01/ben-jerrys-chic-fil-a-political-correctness/
Thanks for sharing this! I went to Newspring and Perry was my pastor when I was in college... Guess that explains some of where my heart/mind come from in situations like this. :) Small world!
DeleteGreat post! We did eat at Chick Fil A today but that was because when we were deciding where to go to lunch with my newborn, 4 year old and 5 year old and the big girls mentioned chick fil and I automatically said yes without thinking about what today was. We went and I felt so dirty being there. I didn't want anyone thinking I was there because I agreed with their points of view. I was there because I am an exhausted mom of a newborn and I seriously did not want to hear begging children lol!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with this post!!!! God calls us to LOVE ALL PEOPLE, not just those tho think/feel the same way we do!
ReplyDeleteA great reminder of our Jesus. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely check out the link Elise posted. Perry Noble (my pastor) said it perfectly!
so, so true! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing has made my heart ache. Being a christian who has immersed herself in the theater world, i know a lot of people who are on both sides of the issue. Therefore, my facebook news feed is a nightmare these days. The side my gay friends are on - they break my heart. One friends FB status today said, "So strange to not hate a single person, but to have millions of strangers hating you." It's just the way he sees it even though i know my christian friends do not actually hate gay people. Some do, though. And the flippant little jokes and expressions about the whole thing - well, they don't help convince anyone that they love the sinner!
ReplyDeleteBut you're right. We're ALL sinners in need of Jesus! I didn't go to CFA today either. I support them by eating there too often as it is. :) I love Jesus. But i don't think he would be eating at CFA today at all.
Thanks...this is an awesome post.
Thank you for posting this! I wholeheartedly agree with you on this topic! I am so tired of all this crap, which is part of the reason I didn't go eat there today. I love being a Christian, but I am honestly a little bit embarrassed by it with the CFA debacle. I don't think that this is how Jesus wants us to act! He wants us to love people, no matter what because if he loved us based on our lifestyles, none of us would be worthy of his love. We are all sinners and nobody on earth is perfect. Everyone needs to grow up and stop judging each other. This is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, E!!! I am a vegetarian, so never, ever, any CFA for me...shame on them for pitting people against each other!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, E. I chose not to eat at CFA today, too. I just felt like my motives would not be pure and I didn't like the message I would be sending to my non-Christian friends.
ReplyDeleteWe went by cfa by accident today but left bc of the crazy lines! We were happy to see so much support for the company though. I didn't think going to cfa today was a statement about your beliefs on marriage, but rather just in support of a company that we all love who chose to not back down from what they believe and then got a bad rap for it. I think it's funny that you refused to eat there. I didnt get the impression the company was trying to be divisive. But I'm not on fb so maybe I just missed a lot of the commenting, etc
ReplyDeleteLea, I wondered about you and CFA today. ;) Good points here! Just to clarify... I don't think the company was/is trying to be divisive... I think that is the fault of the public and the way they took the issues and ran with it. FYI. :)
DeleteProbably wise to not be on FB. It has stressed me out recently.
Thanks for writing this. I have been feeling much the same way about this entire Chick-fil-A issue. As a recent follower of your blog, I was happy to see that your heart is so close to mine when it comes to subjects like this!
ReplyDeleteJesus did love all people, but he was bold and unapologetic in his faith. He shared the gospel, truth, with people reguardless of how they were living and he did it with love. I think it is important for us to remember, no matter where we ate today, that we are called to be bold christians and not cower down to the popular beleifs of the culture, there is a way to do this with love. In reference to chickfila, their statement was made after multiple comments from an aetheist (sp?) group who wanted to know why they give money to a foundation supporting traditional marriage and not same sex marriage. When chickfila did respond, I felt as though they did so in a noncondemning way that simply stated what the Bible says, that God is not pleased by same sex marriage. Yes we all sin, and God is not pleased by that either. But as a Christian, I will support chickfila for boldly stating what the Bible declares, despite the obvious drawbacks to the business side. As a christian, I strive to walk in love and draw people unto Jesus by living what the Bible states, and not bending or swaying in order to fit in with culture. Bottom line: soles need to get to Heaven, we cant do this by hate, but we also cant do this by fitting in with the world.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAmen! You said exactly what I've been feeling Elizabeth! Heading over to read Jen's post now!
ReplyDeleteExactly. I am pretty theologically conservative and my CFA obsession is well known and neither of those things have changed this week, but I'll eat chicken on a day it's just ansandwich and not a weapon.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! So well-worded and I can truly hear the love of Christ in your writing.
ReplyDeleteBeing a vegan, I obviously don't support CFA at all, but I'm disappointed that, in a world where children starve to death, they decide to devote their incredible resources towards the organizations that they do. Despite being theologically liberal, I respect the fact that they may have whatever opinion they choose on the matter, just like I can. But in Jesus's short time on Earth he devoted His life to helping the poor, the sick, and the despised, just like you said. I'm not seeing those values anywhere in CFA, despite the fact they believe they are acting biblically.
one more thing, as a friend and fellow educator said on FB yesterday about CFA... wonder why our parent's in our school communities don't come out and support "Teacher Appreciation Day, the way they did CFA- appreciation day!!!
ReplyDeleteCool thoughts, E. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I had read Jen's blog, too and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you whole-heartedly. I think you've put this simply and beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post. I also checked out the post you linked to, by Jen Hatmaker. Very thought provoking, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi E! Love your blog. Retired teacher here who will sub next week again.
ReplyDeleteNow I tried to get my husband to the Chickfila and just like you we ended up across the street at a buffet restaurant watching all the cars. Hubby with beginning Alzheimer's just didn't get it why someone would vote by waiting in a long line at Chickfila even though we love the LORD. Hubby doesn't follow the news really. Or he tries. We have one TV station that keeps the same going all the time which helps with stories when you have short-term memory.
Just like you I am dieting. I went completely off Weight Watcher points at that restaurant across the street, whereas at Chickfila I knew what I was getting and how many points.
Hope you have a great school year and I will check back with you as I have your blog on my dashboard now.