Push the Button and…”Click”

There is the story of a family in the Ozarks, Mama, Papa and Junior. On Junior's sixteenth birthday, they realized that he needed to see the rest of the world. Papa decided a trip to the big city would be a great birthday present for Junior.

The big day arrived. They packed the pickup and took off. After driving most of the day, they finally pulled into a nice hotel. Papa said, “Mama, you stay in the truck while Junior and I walk around. We’ll come back and get ya. OK?”

Papa and Junior walked, wide-eyed, toward the lobby. When they stepped on a mat, the doors opened automatically. They were spell bound. Inside, they stared at a chandelier, the first they had ever seen. In front of them was a rippling waterfall, and off to the side were busy shoppers going in and out of more stores than they had ever seen.

While they both stood there, silently drinking in the sights and sounds, they kept hearing a clicking noise behind them. Finally, Papa turned and saw this little room with doors that slid from the center. People would walk up, push a button and wait. Lights would come on and “click”, the doors would open. Some people would walk out and some would walk inside.

As Papa and Junior were watching, a wrinkled old lady shuffled up to the doors and then, disappeared into the small room. No one else stepped in, the doors closed. After a few seconds, the doors opened again, and there stood a very attractive young womon. As she stepped out, Papa nudged Junior and said “Junior, go get Mama!”

It seems like everyone these days is looking for a room like Papa found. Just push the right button, wait for the door of opportunity to open, and “click” --instant gratification. From the lottery to diet fads, from Jiffy Lube to Form 1040-A from SAT scores to Basketball scores – we have become a society obsessed with the quick fix. Most often we are held in the life-chocking grip of mediocrity by our own refusal to recognize that lasting quality, fulfilling spirituality, and great joy comes from hard work, great effort, perspiration and inspiration.

The integrity of the message of the Jesus is preserved only when there are those who are continually striving to improve. Such persons recognize elevators for what they are and effectively utilize the resources of life to further the vision of the Kingdom.