10 Or Less

Growing up in an era where charm school was expected, I have a fascination with etiquette and particularly etiquette-related advice columns. Of course, since I've come to know Jesus more and more, I realize that most rules of etiquette are rendered moot in the scheme of spiritual matters and most rules of etiquette made by humans are generally an elemental force meant for organization to civilization (Babylon, anyone?).
Still, I couldn't help but notice a question yesterday in the paper about a woman who didn't know how to handle a grocery store's manager directing her to be first in line in the check out lane next to her due to her cart having more than the 10 or less item requirement. She didn't like the jeers and mocks she received from other customers who did not understand that the manager called her over to the empty line and assumed she was self righteous in her pursuit of getting out of the busy store quicker than every one else. The manager had his reasons of calling her ahead of the long line she was in to the empty line. He wanted to keep the employees working and the lines running smoothly. Nobody could use the 10 or less checkout lanes because nobody (not one!) had 10 or less. He, as the store's manager, had the authority to do what was best for his store's operation. In fact, her hesitation of acceptance of an expedited checkout actually slowed the store down even more.
God uses everything around me to explain Spiritual concepts to me and this story is no exception. He's calling many people to come up, come over, or expediting circumstances to get everyone in their place. Many are not listening because they are too worried about the jeers and mocking of the unauthorized telling them they have no right to be there. How quickly we forget that we have a personal friend in Jesus Who has authorized us to come up to heavenly places. Forget not the benefits of Salvation. Forget not the benefits of Grace. His Righteousness has placed us under the law of righteousness. Humility looks a whole lot like obedience. Obedience is proper etiquette to God and way better than sacrifice. Besides, who could pay the price of the Sacrifice that's already been paid? His Grace is sufficient. Take it. Take as much as you need to get you Face to face in this race. Go and sin no more. He knows how to run this store. 
​"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."