Substandard Conditions

The Meat Market:

There are so many parallels in my life right now where the physical and spiritual are running side by side.

It happened for me, last Tuesday at the Meat Market.

I’ve had several experiences-

With several meat markets.

But this particular market was what I would deem-

substandard conditions.

I had to look that up.

The Holy Ghost gave me that word and sure enough, it was the right description.

I showed up, only to find a nasty aroma and a semi- welcome,

by a fella who didn’t feel the need to wash the meat off of his hands before ringing me up at the register.

Ok.

Let that slide.

Bless my food!

So, I gracefully offer to help load the car.

He wouldn’t be needing my help, however,

But rather expected me to load all of the single wrapped packages into the car by myself.

I found that out, after asking if the rusted metal containers would be carrying my meat home.

“No, those are ours,” He said.

So, the puzzled look on my face caused him to ask if I had brought my own containers.

(Which I had not. I had never had to before.)

“Could I get a bag, or something” I asked.

He then brought me three plastic bags- for 1/2 of a cow!

It was a steamy 89* out that day, so I needed to work promptly to get my already melting meat packs into my car for the hour and a half drive home.

While asking for a couple more bags, I should have probably refrained, and waited on a better delivery,

But I went on to ask-

“Is this how you all normally do business?”

“Yeah.”

Was all I got.

So as I’m rehearing this pricy, yet non promising meat story to my husband, he says,

“The guys are work say that’s normal.”

What?

So, then I began to question myself.

BUT,

I,

Have personally,

been to several other markets, all of which bring me boxes, full of my ordered meat, and not only bring it to my car, but load it there after I’ve only had to offer to do it myself.

The lesson from Holy Ghost:

Don’t lower your standards just because circumstances change.

Again, good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

How they aren’t out of business?

Well, to me that’s a shocker.

To the guys at Dusty’s work…

Part of the norm I guess.

I think we could say the same thing spiritually.

I’m not used to the norm.

I’m from the Kingdom, where Grace always finds me.

So, why did Grace not find me there?

I thought the same.

At first.

But Grace did.

I’m always covered.

I’ll bless my food and Thank God for the strength I have to do what I need to do.

But to that place of business, I came through to raise the bar.

How will they know unless someone says something?

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

We have to say something.

For too long, we as believers, have just put up with what we know we should say something about-

Even if something offends minds, to change hearts.

(I heard that from Joseph Z, but that’s Truth!)

No, I won’t be dropping my standard.

But I can raise theirs.

I don’t want to see them lose their business.

We live in a generation where less than excellent is the norm-

But we are to be in it, not of it!

When we pray, “thy will be done,”

It brings the standard of heaven.

I don’t want less than that, because my Father paid for more than that.

God wants to see all of us walk out what Jesus paid for.

How will others know what that looks like, if we don’t?

Or if we know, but say nothing?

God’s will, is His Word.

That’s the Perfect Meat Market.

Paul said:

12 ¶ For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Look to Jesus for the Standard.

The world wants to sell you substandard ideas.

But you have to know the real or you’ll settle.

I encourage you today, to feast on who you are and what you have in Him.

Then share that truth with others.