The Popcorn Line

Posted by Dion Todd July 31st, 2024 1,310 Views 30 Comments

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 WEB.

We love to get a tub of buttered popcorn at the movies. It is rare for us to go, but popcorn just seems to make the whole movie experience better. It makes us happy. One day we went to see a movie with some friends at a local theater. While waiting in line to get our happy popcorn, the man running the counter was fuming mad because he had been assigned to work the lowly concession stand.

He loudly complained in front of everyone, "What were they thinking putting me out here in front of everyone to serve popcorn? I haven't done this in years! I am the assistant something something. I am supposed to be in the back office!" He embarrassingly whined on and on and practically threw the orders on the counter in contempt.

Everyone in the line looked at each other and felt like we were a bother to him, but we stayed in line because we wanted to get our popcorn before the movie started. He was indeed a sight to behold, and my heart went out to him. I could understand what he was talking about because the Lord has put me in similar circumstances many times.

Each time in my life, before the Lord started to use me in any way that mattered, I first went through a humbling season to prepare me for it. It was always voluntary, and each time I was given the opportunity to humble myself but never forced to obey. The task usually came as a choice, where I could humbly serve others in some way or leave feeling like they didn't know how important I really was.

I was given a choice, and I was free to do either. The times that I chose the humble path always ended up with me being promoted in some way later, or a golden opportunity suddenly appeared. I have gone from sweeping the floor to becoming the manager. For example, right before He pushed me into full-time ministry as a pastor, we showed up for a church workday event, and the only job left was scrubbing the bathrooms.

While others painted, worked on computers, and rearranged musical equipment, I polished the bathrooms until you could have eaten off the floor. Now, here is some backstory on why that is relevant. For a season, I was a painting contractor, while the people painting there didn't know how to properly hold a brush.

I ran a computer business for nearly twenty years. Still, the people working on rearranging the computers were struggling to figure out where the cables went. I have been a lifelong musician and sound tech, while those reorganizing the music equipment produced a mess we had to fix later. Anyway, you get the point on how detailed a situation the Lord can create for you to complain about.

God uses humble beginnings. Even His Son Jesus was born in a stable. Jesus humbled Himself and became one of us. Over the years, I have learned that the grandiose-looking door is usually not the one He has in store for me.

Peter said to humble ourselves so that God may exalt us in due time. He will provide the occasion, but only you can humble yourself. God does not make you humble. He gives you an opportunity to serve in a lowly esteemed position with a positive attitude. Then as you do the serving, you will become humble in the process.

The further the task is beneath you, the more you feel slighted, the higher that He will take you. The longer that it takes to complete, the longer the season that is coming. I once served a year polishing brass at minimum wage while He refined me. Then He pushed me into my own computer business for the next seventeen years.

When He gives you a chance to humbly serve in some way, do so. It is possibly the most significant door that could ever open for you, yet disguised as something low. Jesus, the King of all Kings, washed the feet of the disciples like He was their servant. So if He puts you at the popcorn stand, serve with a smile, and work to be the best popcorn server the world has ever seen. The people in line will appreciate it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see the big picture and beyond my circumstances today. Please help me understand Your plan for me and give me the grace to keep a positive attitude while I serve. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

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