DEVOTION / Not quite expected…
My wife and I found ourselves on the other side of Wisconsin and decided to treat ourselves to an acclaimed restaurant. We were expecting a nice place with a great menu and exceptional service. What we got was not quite what we expected: poor service and run-of-the-mill food.
“The restaurant of mistaken orders”
Have you heard about the “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders” in Japan? This eatery was created as a place to give adults with dementia a place to interact and be involved, instead of being shut out from society. Imagine a place where all the waiters and waitresses struggle with memory issues. It’s reported that about one-third of the orders come to the table with some mistake or other.
A place of surprises
Maybe “The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders" sounds frustrating to you. From the article I read, it’s actually a place of understanding, cooperation, smiles, and laughter. Indeed, mistakes are made, but everyone understands that this is to be expected. So, if your hot coffee gets served with a straw, or your waitress ends up sitting down at the table with you and forgets she needs to take your order, it’s okay. You can all work together to make things right.
An imperfect picture of the Church?
As I read about this unusual restaurant, it reminded me of the churches where we find ourselves members. Built on the solid foundation of our Lord and Savior Jesus, they are filled with fallible members who try very hard to do everything to the best of their ability, but who fall short and make mistakes. Too often tempers flare, our sins and shortcomings get in the way, and our churches become divided battlegrounds instead of sanctuaries filled with understanding, compassion, love, and laughter. We, too, can work together to make things right.
A Savior … not quite as expected
In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus asked his disciples about what people were saying about him. They replied that some were saying he was John the Baptist or Elijah or some other prophet. When Jesus asked his disciples, Who do you say that I am? Peter gave the famous answer: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God! (Matthew 16:16)
Through the Holy Spirit, Peter’s testimony attests to the truth that most did not quite expect. Some expected an earthly ruler. Others expected a leader to defeat the occupying Romans. Did any expect a crucifixion and burial for the Son of the living God? Yet, that was God’s perfect plan to ransom our souls and save the world. Not quite expected, but so desperately needed!
Prayer: Lord, we are fallible and easily misled. Our expectations are repeatedly faulty and misguided. Thank you for your unexpected plan to save us and the world. Help 316NOW and each of us to share this message with all around us. Amen!
by Dave Payne