Paper or plastic? Remember the days when we had a choice? As a former bag boy at Food World, I can speak with some amount of authority and expertise on the matter. The trouble is that plastic came along well after my endless paper cuts and bursting bottom brown bags… so I don’t really have more than consumer experience with plastic. When the new option came for a superior grocery carrying experience, I embraced the change and personally revolted against the paper as it reminded me of endless Friday nights packing groceries for all of my friend’s parents while my buddies were running the roads.

When the choice was offered, I recall standing in grocery lines behind little elderly ladies that snarled their lips and screeched… PAPER! There were days I would slide in behind an older guys and they would say… hell I don’t care, just give me my groceries!

There were countless people who revolted and gasped at the idea of bringing their food home in anything else but paper sacks. “It’s how it’s always been done… and it’s how I will do it until I die!” Isn’t it amazing how we cling on to stupid traditions for the sake of traditions? Sometimes a better way comes along, and we miss it because we’re stuck in the same old familiar routine.

At the end of the day… it doesn’t matter how you get the food home… it’s still the same stuff but in a different wrapper.

What about your faith? Ever considered that? Is it possible that you’re clinging on to old habits and traditions like the little old ladies with their paper sacks? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself… why do I believe what I believe? Or… do you believe nothing because it’s never been a part of your life?

Have you tried a churchy thing in the past but found it rigid, stale, old fashioned, and cumbersome? For you it was probably a relief to get out of that paper sack. But for hundreds who were there with you… they were probably fine with their bag and wouldn’t change for nothing (amen on that preachers? – you feel me?).

You threw away fellowship with faithful people because you didn’t like the wrapper.

Or have you ever walked away from a faith because you were “paper” and wanted “plastic”… but no one wanted to change? Dude you missed it. The food is still the same… just the wrapper is different. You have to know that God isn’t contained in a box of ritual, routine, and man made rules. That is some dangerous small thinking.

Don’t throw away your life because you don’t like the wrapper. Go get the food anyway you can… bring it home and feed your family. Got it?

OTHER NEW ITEMS:

• Steve Fandel‘s new category called: Focal Point
• Vince Cameron’s new post in LB Experience

Thanks for stopping by today. Remember, we’ll be retooling the site this weekend… A more streamlined experience is coming… and Monday – the new Book Begins: WANTED.

May God’s presence be with you this weekend.

ACTS 4:31
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