Nearly all of them quit. On the spot. They took off their headsets and abandoned their stations at the drive-through and cash registers. The McDonald’s day shift staff in Bradford, PA was tired of the long work weeks, low wages and grumpy customers.
They had approached upper management about a raise, and were denied. “If you don’t like it, then quit.”
So they reported to the general manager that they were doing just that. And she joined them. They walked out in the middle of the shift as the drive-through line multiplied, along with the impatience of the customers. They locked the doors and hung a sign on the main entrance, “Due to lack of pay we all quit.”
There’s something admirable about a person willing to stand up for their beliefs and values. There’s also something risky about quitting your job and walking away from a stable source of security.
The first followers of Jesus did this. They found in Jesus an adventure, a new life, a fulfillment of the old prophecies and an open door to future possibilities of a new kingdom. They quit their jobs. Fishermen. Tax collector.
What in your life is worth leaving behind so that you can better follow Jesus? 16th century spiritual leader, Martin Luther, put it this way: “I have held many things in my hands and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
There’s an old Jewish story about a rabbi walking through a neighboring village late at night. He encounters another man walking alone, and together the two of them walk down the street in silence. Finally, the rabbi turns to his new companion and asks, “So, who do you work for?”
“I work for the village,” the man answers. “I’m the night watchman.”
They walk on some more, in silence. Then it’s the night watchman’s turn to ask this newcomer to his village a question. He asks the rabbi, “And who do you work for?”
The rabbi answers: “I’m not always sure. But this I will tell you. Name your present salary, and I’ll double it. All you have to do, to earn that extra money, is one thing. You have to walk with me from time to time and ask me, ‘Who do you work for?’”
There’s working at McDonald’s, or Amazon, or Roper & Roper, or you’re self-employed. And then there’s working for Jesus. Follow him faithfully. While you don’t have to necessarily quit your day job, you will find that the life Jesus offers you beats anything your job can give.
So quit depending on work to do what only Jesus can do. Leave at the office all the trash talk, the drama, the partying, the bad ethics—leave it all behind and join up with Jesus in a holy life.
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:11).
“Levi got up, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:28).
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you lead, I’ll follow. If anything is holding me back, give me the faith and love to leave it behind. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read Luke 5:1-32. Make a list of give different words that describe Jesus. Use these words in a prayer.