Who is Our Customer?

Recently, I found myself at a well-known business center in a line of one; just myself. One clerk stood behind a sign that read “next window please”, while the other clerk bounced back and forth between two windows, neither of which had a customer. I wondered to myself why neither clerk acknowledged my presence, or said the expected phrase “Thank you for waiting, I will be with you in a moment.” As time dragged on, six other customers joined the line with questioning looks. Two other workers came to the counter, asked the bouncing clerk some questions and then went back behind the wall (much to everyone’s amazement). Eventually, another clerk came out from behind the wall, slowly transferred all the needed material from her box to the waiting cash drawer, finally removed the next window sign, and spoke the magic words “May I help you?”

Throughout my confinement in line I had to resist the urge to say either to the clerks or my fellow inmates “If I operated my business like this, I would have to close the doors.” Admittedly, my frustration level intensified with each passing moment and act of callousness, disrespect, and unconcern. After all, “Don’t they understand that I am their customer?” Thankfully, I kept reminding myself of who and what I am supposed to be and did not open Pandora’s Box (my mouth). But, as I drove away, the manner in which I had been treated really gnawed at me. I asked why I continue to subject myself to this treatment (because it seems to have become the norm). The answer is because I am confined to this location due to certain parameters beyond my control.

Then, in His masterful timing, the Holy Spirit asked, “Who is your customer?” The answer, to my chagrin, is “everybody”. As a believer in Christ and His inerrant word, I represent Him to everyone I encounter in every conceivable way; in person, on the phone, on the internet, on the highway behind the wheel of my vehicle, in line at every store I can rush to, hastily brushing past the myriad of equally frantic shoppers in the mall, and the list is infinite. Every soul of man is my customer, and I represent “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” to them. The scary part is that I am never off. I work 24/7 for Him. And, how well I represent my bosses’ corporate mission statement to my customers potentially determines their eternal outcome. Am I staying behind the “walls” which I have erected, but the Holy Spirit wants to bring down? Am I busying myself at the “window” of my life, being careful not to look up and make eye contact with those I am called to help? Am I bouncing around in constant motion, but accomplishing nothing of value where it really counts? Am I transferring items of service from one tray to another, yet failing to actually use them in the service that matters most; serving my customers, all for whom Christ died?

As we approach this holiday season, may we strive to represent Christ as well as He represents God the Father to us. May we become the "Macy's" in "Miracle on 34th Street", and be the "go to" place that puts the customer first and personal/corporate profits last. After all, we serve the God of miracles, and have the greatest product offering of all stores, the love of Christ. And, unlike the establishment that I was required to patronize, our customers can shop anywhere, for anything. Let's not allow our customers to have to shop in confusing and frustrating places for that which will never satisfy.

See someone you don’t know? Is there a customer in your line? Speak those magic words, “Hi, my name is… May I help you?”

On “Bentknee”, Pastor David

Verse for the week:

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.