The Steak(less)House
Many years ago, my husband scheduled his company Christmas dinner at a local steakhouse. Everyone arrived, got settled, ordered beverages and appetizers, and were chatting it up. All was going well until it came time to order our entrees. With a by-the-way remark, the waiter informed us that they were all out of steaks. No steaks of any cut. We could have chicken. We could have pork. We could have seafood. But no steak.
The entire party looked at the waiter not knowing how to respond. Was he serious? It was only 6pm. And we were in a steakhouse after all. How does that happen? I shot a quick glance at my husband, trying to assess how he might respond. I knew he would be embarrassed, but how would he handle it? A nervous chuckle slipped from my lips. He managed to contain his irritation and all decided to make light of the situation, viewing it as a funny mishap and minor inconvenience, but we were all stunned.
The steakhouse is no longer in business, but I will never forget that night. I still shake my head and laugh when I think about it. I felt bad for the waiter, actually. How hard his night must have been telling each customer the news with a straight face – thank you for coming to our steakhouse where we have no steak.
My steakhouse experience surfaces in my mind every so often and begs the question: What about us? Are we steakhouses with no steak? Do we call ourselves Christian, but live without any signs of Christ? Are our churches ones without evidence of God? Are we a temple of the Holy Spirit without yielding any fruit?
I know it’s not a pleasant thought, but I think we need to do a self-assessment from time to time. Better yet, we should invite God to examine our hearts and attitude routinely. If we are the hands and feet of Jesus, what evidence do we show to our community and our fellow brothers and sisters that God is present in our midst? Are we gracious and forgiving or quick to judge? Are we snippy and always pushing to get our way or do we kindly yield? Do we tell others to forgive and get over it when encountering conflict or do we seek to understand and consider what true reconciliation looks like? Do we attend church for the entertainment value, always wanting to be fed, yet never serving? I could go on, but you get the idea.
We will be blessed when we challenge ourselves to take a true look at our spiritual health and maturity. I invite you to join me in asking God to reveal ways we may fall short. Let’s invite Him to open our eyes to truth.
I pray that we’ll never find ourselves in a position that someone would say that we’re a godless house of God, personally or as a body. Let’s not be that steakhouse – let’s show some real meat and substance with our lives.