Monday, October 5, 2009

wait for the great...

I used to have an affair. Yes, it's the truth. I became addicted at a very young age to something that was not good for me. In the realm of life-changing experiences in my three years on earth, McDonald's ranked above breathing, blinking, and sleep. According to urban legend [read: mom's memory], Jasmine and I would cry and wince in our car seats at we screamed out for fench fye every time we passed the magical golden arches. I still wince in my seat as I pass McDonald's--but it's for a new reason.

I saw the documentary SuperSize Me. Enough said. Since then I've been able to look at the manufactures of artificially colored cheese, processed meat, frozen hydrogenated fries, and fluffy white buns in a whole new light. McDonald's panders to those who want the simple, the easy, and the cheap. They've made billions on this marketing scheme and it's works (well, that and the McFlurries are delicious).

What really bothers me is that we've taken this mentality in our personal lives. I see countless of people settling for so little when they could have so much (Col. 2:9-10). Sure, we can survive of McDonald's 69 cents cheeseburgers... but why should we? More importantly, why would we want to? God is proverbially serving us His choicest meat (Hebrews 5:14) that has been marinated and rubbed with seasonings, baking delicious bread from imported flour (John 6:32-35), pouring unending drinks to quench our souls (John 4:10), but we sit totally content eating our artificially produced 69 cents cheeseburger?!

I vividly remember talking to a young girl who approached me and was upset that I lambasted McDonald's. Just because you don't like MickeyD's doesn't mean it's bad, she said with indignation and offense. I actually think it's really good, she crossed her arms at her chest and waited for a defense. I looked directly into her eyes, paused, and gently replied, Tanya, you think McDonald's is good because you've never had anything better. As hurtful as it may have sounded, it was true. Once we taste and see the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), we will never want to go back to surviving off of something so little, when God has something so great.

13 comments:

christy said...

u know it's funny that u say this...yes we're not financially comfortable and we r a family of five, so yes we eat some stuff, ok a lot of stuff that might not be the best for us but we can afford...so our taste buds are accustomed to such food...so when my sister's gourmet cooking husband creates a meal or we go for a special occasion to a fine dining restaurant...sometimes my thoughts are "this meal costs what? or how long did it take to make this?" yes, my tastes are not so sophisticated or drawn to what's better for me ( we r improving on this)...but the good news is God's "better tasting stuff" is free! poeple think it costs us our "fun time" or all our freedom, but it's actually reversed...in order to fit in with this world you have to pay so much more...we pay with self-esteem, we pay with compromise...we pay with hurts and suffering in order to think we have freedom...

Thanks for the great analogy!

renay. said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome... love this post! ;)

Anonymous said...

BB, wonderful post!! Def. one of my favs! My heart constantly aches when I see loved ones settle for anything less than God's best...especially, His sacrificial love.

-j

Anonymous said...

AMEN!!! Love the comparison. Just say that movie recently and still can't get the scene where he you know WHATS out the car window. :{ UGH!! ;)

Cindy A. said...

Bianca,
Love your analogy!

Christy,
How awesome to realize that the best things in life really ARE free! The gift of Jesus Christ is absolutely free and is by far the best we can get :)

Bianca said...

woowoo. but i need to clarify that i'm not a hater of McDonalds. it serves a purpose everyone once in a while :)

totally agree with you, christy. the best in life is free!

Anonymous said...

i couldn't agree more with you sista...i hardly ever, ever, ever crave fast food, but I must confess you got me craving McD's fries..

Cyn

Anonymous said...

i couldn't agree more with you sista...i hardly ever, ever, ever crave fast food, but I must confess you got me craving McD's fries..

Cyn

juniorj said...

I lived on McDonald's when I was in high school. After being more aware of how bad it was and eating better I can't imagine going back to Mc-D(s). It would be like the proverb of the dog returning to it's vomit.

Warrior in Training said...

Awesome!!!!!! Thank you so much....

Lindsay said...

This has been on my mind a bit recently...not just about food but generally waiting for God's best. Tying in with the verse about everything being beautiful in it's time - sometimes we have to wait for God's timing as that's when things are truly beautiful and good for us!
Thanks for this post...although I am now craving a burger and McFlurry!!!

Diandra Ann said...

I loved and hated this analogy all at once. loved it because its so true. hated it because now im hungry :)

this is so true of relationships too... that's where my mind headed after reading it... i think people settle for 69 cent (which are actually 99 cents now) cheeseburgers when God has someone who is a Fillet Mignon. Just sayin...

xoxo

Whitney said...

hahahaha! i LOVE the little flat mc-cheeseburgers!! ... darned u for this new conviction. lol. Actually, the Lord was speaking this to my heart a few years ago but He showed me with the analogy of Mayo vs Miracle whip...nothing will ever compare to Hellman's fatty spreadable goodness...and some people just settle for a life of Miracle whip. *tear*....So sad. Thank Goodness I'm in a season of learning to overcome opportunities for offense! or I might have really been ensnared by this posting! haha. :) you are SUCH a blessing, dear sister. Thank you for this posting! :) :)

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