Convenience Store Christianity

Today, we can hardly travel a mile without seeing Quik Trips, Kwik Shops, One Stops and other aptly named markets holding down the four corners of most intersections. They provide us an in and out, convenient shopping experience where we can purchase whatever we need in one stop! The products aren't always the healthiest for us or the most cost-effective. They are, though, quick and convenient and provide the instant gratification we need. Marketers vie for prime corner real estate so that we don't have to worry about getting off the main thoroughfare and back onto it. We have come to expect 24/7 access to what we want when we want it. Convenience has become part of our cultural DNA.

This expectation of convenience seems to have made its way into how some of us view our Christian service. Churches seem to have bought into the idea that to draw "customers," they must provide easy access and "grab and go" products. Christians now shop for churches based upon when services are scheduled and the variety and style of "programs" offered. Service to the church body is made easy - give an hour a week, no preparation required, with very little if any commitment to interfere with the rest of the week. We want to be able to rush in and out, grab what we want off the shelf, and exit quickly, back into the rush of our everyday lives. Christianity of this sort results in the same outcome of shopping at convenience stores regularly - the cost is too high and our need not met for very long. 

I am guilty of wanting to go to church early so I can get out early and have the rest of my day to myself. I wanted a church where I could show up on Sunday, do my time, and never serve in any way that would inconvenience me beyond the amount of time I was willing to give up on a Sunday morning, once a month. My parameters were all about me and not at all about what the call to be like Christ is. I was wrong!

We aren't called to convenient service. Jesus says that if we are to follow him we will deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily (Luke 9:23). He says that we will lose our lives for his sake, but we will also be saved (Luke 9:24). We are called to be like Jesus, and that means investing the time to learn who He is and being willing to serve as he did. It means we may be inconvenienced!

The stakes are high. We have to decide whether we are going to shape our Christianity to serve our convenience (Romans 8:6; Colossians 2:8) or if we are going to inconvenience our flesh and be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2: 6-7). If our heart's desire is to be like Jesus, we won't be able to "grab and go"; we will choose to sit at His feet and follow where He leads.


Heavenly Father, I'm selfish. I want what I want when I want it! I like having things go my way and on my schedule. Forgive me for seeking convenience over seeking and doing Your will. Help me to have the heart to serve and the strength to obey you. In your name, Amen.