Elevators and the Unwritten Rules

Spent some quality time in an elevator yesterday. I got on at the first floor and had to go all the way up to the eighth, with periodic pauses on the in-between floors to let others on and off. It's a mundane thing, really, to ride on an elevator. We hardly pay any attention to the goings-on. But you know what?

Social conventions crack me up.

Those little unwritten rules about elevator etiquette are unique and kind of silly. Don't talk to anyone, unless the topic involves communicating the destination floor. Look only at the numbers, or your feet, or the door. Actually, just don't make eye-contact with anyone. Move to the back of the elevator when new people get on. Face toward the doors. Evenly space out as far as humanly possible to be equidistant from every other passenger. Making contact with the wall is OK. Don't slouch. Which is funny when you think about it, because I think people would have better posture if we rode elevators everywhere. When did I learn? Did Mom have to sit me down and enlighten me one day? Did we cover proper elevator behavior in Kindergarten?

Funny thing. I probably never had to be taught verbally how to behave in an elevator, but I learned by observation. It's probably as close as we ever get to the old "learning by osmosis" trick many of us have been trying since high school chemistry. And eventually, we all catch on.

Which makes me wonder... What are the unwritten expectations of faith and behavior at Lexington Baptist Church? What do we expect of growing believers in Christ? Do we expect discipleship? Do we expect Biblical literacy? Do we expect people to grow in grace, and love, and mercy? What do we expect post-baptism?

What social conventions (good or bad) exist at Lexington Baptist? And are they keepers or losers?

Amazing is Good

A little over a month ago, Kiley brought home Starburst jelly beans after a trip out for groceries. You say, “That’s great. Jelly beans are jelly beans.” I respectfully disagree. You have not had jelly beans until you have had Starburst jelly beans. In a word, they are awesomeamazingsplendiforousheavenly. You say that’s not a word. It is now. I just coined it, because frankly, Starburst jelly beans defy definition by an existing word. Once you truly experience a Starburst jelly bean, you’ll agree with me. I am convinced that as we gather around the throne to worship the King once our earthly days end, angelic ushers will provide us with Starburst jelly beans. They are that good.

One problem, though. Like Mint M&M’s at Christmas, Starburst jelly beans are a seasonal item. (Or so Kiley tells me. I hope it’s not a ploy to control my sugar intake.) In a month’s time, Starburst jelly beans will disappear from the shelves and I will wish I had more. Sometime around October, I will think to myself, “I miss Starburst jelly beans.”

Easter is almost here! That day when we celebrate the resurrection, the day that makes every other day worth living! Jesus – the spotless Lamb, the second Adam, the Lord of the Universe – was killed, but He didn’t stay that way! He ate breakfast with the disciples; He met Peter on the beach; He walked on the road to Emmaus; He paid a visit to His brother James and 500 others. Lots of people think we only celebrate Easter once a year as a seasonal thing. But you know better!

We remember Easter each week because we worship on Sunday – the Lord’s Day, the day of resurrection. We remember Easter each day because Jesus has said, “Remember! I am with you always, even to the end of time” (Matt. 28:20, emphasis mine). And, because you have truly experienced that resurrection power by trusting the resurrected Jesus to be boss of your life, you agree with me. As we gather around the throne to worship the King once our earthly days end, we will be consumed with the majesty of Easter. It’s that good.

Don’t get caught thinking Easter is merely a seasonal item. Without the empty tomb, the manger is just a cute display piece.