January 1st, 2012

...now browsing by day

 

(AB)NORMAL

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

WHO. WANTS. TO. BE. NORMAL??

When I think of normal, I think of SAMENESS.  Sameness can become DULLNESS.  Dullness can become BORING.  Boring can become LIFELESS.  Lifeless can become DEAD.  Now…who wants to become NORMAL?  🙂

“Not I,” said the fly (that would be me) and hopefully you.

Enough has been written about the advent of 2012 so there is no need for me to belabor that point.   If you read this post, you already know some of what I was heading for this past Sunday.  If you will allow me, I would like to share some other thoughts with you from this past Sunday.

My favorite place to eat is Chipotle.  I clipped an article that I once read about Chipotle called “A Tested Recipe: Five Ingredients;” about why they are at the top of their game.  It carries some interesting thoughts for us:

First ingredient:  It’s the food.  Chipotle’s food succeeds in tasting better than its competition.  Application: If you want to be transformed in 2012, you will need to ask, “What kind of food am I eating?  What am I taking in that is spiritually healthy/unhealthy?”  Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”

Second ingredient: Keep in simple!  Chipotle has just three items- chicken, beef and pork.  Their menu boards are simple and easy to read.  Application: if you want to be transformed, keep it simple.  Don’t do something so complicated challenging that you are burnt out  by the end of January.

Third ingredient: Fast is still important.  Simple menu=short lines.  Application: don’t feel like you have to spend an hour a day to have Transformation take place.  10 Quality minutes is better than 30 quantity minutes where you begin looking at the clock for the last 15 minutes.

Fourth ingredient: There is always room for improvement.  Chipotle is not standing on its past.  For example, the CEO found that the salsa was better if the onions were cut by hand instead of a machine.  Application: never stop learning. Never stop growing.

Fifth ingredient: Embrace your “enemy”.  Chipotle started by working with McDonalds instead of fighting them.  I do not mean by this that you embrace the devil.  Application: don’t force yourself, nor let anyone else force you, into someone’s mold.  If you are not a morning person, fine. Find the right time that fits you for your time with God.  I am an early riser, so to try to stay up late is out of the question.  Find the time that works best for you.  Time with Him is what is important; not when.

That’s all for now.  Tomorrow I plan to spend a little time in Psalm 37.  I hope these help you in your quest to not be NORMAL.  What do you think of these five ingredients?  How can they help you?   What plan do you have for being (ab)normal?