Vending Machine Faith

     
     The whole premise of a vending machine is for a person to be able to find a snack that will satisfy their hunger needs right at the moment the person wants that urge to be filled. You want salty, we've got crackers, you want sweet, we've got candy bars, you want sweet and salty, you can have both! Convenience and a varied selection have made vending machines an expected part of work place break rooms, hotels, rest areas, and waiting rooms across the spectrum. "When you want it, our vending machines have it!" should be the slogan pasted across the top of each machine.
     You know, so many times we are guilty of having a vending machine type faith. We run into some adversity and we want to run up to God's vending machine and choose the solution we want and have it dropped down to us, (and we don't even want to deposit the .75 cents to get our result). We visit the doctor and get that report we sure weren't expecting, so what do we do? We run to the vending machine and ask for a complete healing, immediately right now. Financial woes, there's a row in the vending machine for those too. Full protection from the coronavirus, why not there's surely a selection for that one in God's vending machine. Don't get me wrong, if you have a relationship with God, you should be able to talk to him and make supplication to Him about and for anything, but I guess what I'm getting at today is that when we truly have a meaningful two-way relationship with the God of Creation, our vending machine mentality should shift to more of a sitting down to dinner at Momma's house.
     I remember distinctly sitting down for dinner and out would come a big bowl full of broccoli or even worse spinach and just as I was getting ready to let out a big yuck, mom would remind us about how important it is to get all our vitamins and nutrients from those leafy greens. Brussel sprouts, turnips, liver, and a short list of other foods would not be on my favorites list of items to include in my fantasy vending machine, but sitting down at moms for an evening meal, you were sure to get what you needed, and not necessarily what you wanted. At the dinner table Momma knows best, and in life God's omnipotent knowledge ranks supreme.
      There is a plan for your life. You have a purpose in life. The plans and the purpose you believe are yours may or may not be exactly what God has planned for the life He has given you to live. What you believe is your purpose and plan may very well be the ultimate outcome for your life, but the pathway to get there may look completely different under your microscope than it does in our Father's playbook. That's where the vending machine mentality comes in to play. When we face adversity or affliction we want it fixed right there on the spot, so what do we do? We pray to God to fix it. Healing, new job offer, peace at home, protection from pandemic, you name it, just say a prayer and push the button and your answer will fall right down into your waiting lap. I guess that sounds like the way we would all have it work out, but if you stop and think about how the adversity in your life has really made you into the person you are today, that mentality should start to dissipate.
      Romans 8:28 tells us that "All things work together for good" and Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” So, what we want to happen immediately when hardships befall us is normal, who doesn't want to be healed of cancer, or suddenly be offered a dream job in the midst of a financial tsunami? But, is that what is going to prepare us to be who God wants us to become? If the road to our destination was paved with smooth highways and no obstacles in our way would we ever learn how to overcome adversity or how to manage during a COVID-19 crisis? Of even more importance, how can God build us up to the place He wants us to serve from if we are unable to handle the training ground that we must endure first? Paul speaking to the believers at the church in Philippi proclaimed, "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12. If there is a role model of living out God's plan for his life and not questioning the thorn in his side, it would have to be Paul. No vending machine options for this man of God. 
     So, I guess the takeaway from today's FTM is we have to come to terms with the situations and circumstances we are currently experiencing. If we had our way, there wouldn't be obstacles in our path, but oh the disappointment and missed opportunities we would lose without the trials and tribulations we endure, overcome, and eventually grow and mature as a result. Vending machines are okay for a quick pick me up, but for the long haul, Momma's spinach casserole provides us with what we truly need. Stop looking at adversity as the enemy and start using that adversity to take the next step to who God has planned for you to become! Tough to do without a faith in God, so if you want to grow get a relationship today. One last reminder from Paul, "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me" Philippians 4:13. You are not alone, never! 
Coach Carter