November 19, 2019
As I looked down at my taco, thankful it was especially hearty this morning, I had an idea. I would do the unthinkable—open up the tortilla, spread out my breakfast, and eat it with a fork. It seemed completely ludicrous as I did this; however, I was able to take my time as I savored it. I was able to enjoy a normal forkful, instead of a monstrous mouthful. I was able to prolong my meal, not worrying about speed or size of each bite for fear of its filling falling out and spilling everywhere. I ate, peacefully and purposefully, relishing in this newfound novelty I’d discovered, enabling me to intentionally slow down something could have easily become robotic and mechanical. Applying the unwritten “code” on the taco-eating program.
At first, I didn’t understand the stares I received. Was there something on my face? Did I spill on my shirt? Then, as I looked around, I realized I was the only one “sacrilegiously” eating my breakfast taco. It was obvious this was simply odd behavior. Finishing scanning the tables in front of me, my eyes landed on a man seated off to my left side. He too had decided against the “traditional” taco eating tradition, and as he brought his fork up to his mouth, our eyes met. Briefly, a smile flashed across his face, an acknowledgement, if you will, of our unspoken bond before he took his bite. I returned the favor, raised my fork, gave him a little nod and smile in “cheers” fashion. Happily, I went back to enjoying my breakfast.
When I finished eating, I looked over again towards my comrade, and noticed he’d already left. I was slightly saddened, as if I’d missed an opportunity. Though we had not spoken a word to each other, I felt we’d made a connection. It was an “I see you” moment— a recognition and validation of the other. How much a stranger’s approval meant in that moment made me realize how difficult it is for us to go against the grain and do something “outside” of the norm.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).
So often we look at others, longing for acceptance, and believe if we could just duplicate their actions, we too would be included, valued, respected. This type of conformance is not only confining, trapping us in a copycat mindset, it derails us from fulfillment of His purpose.
We only have one lifetime to figure out how we want to spend eternity. It’s up to us to step out, make ourselves available to receive His direction—no matter how outside of the box everyone else finds it. And in the following, we are perfect in our obedience, which pleases Him beyond measure.
All this from a taco, I know. His revelations come in unique ways for each of us. There was no mold when you were formed, my friend. When we will stop unnecessarily trying to cram ourselves into one?
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