I'm Lovin' It

I'm lovin' it! From February 2nd to 14th McDonald's is encouraging people - chosen at random - to pay for their order through lovin'. Some people are asked to call a loved one on the phone and them that they are loved, others are asked to do a dance right at the counter, others are asked for a hug or a high five. Then, after the act of love is carried out, the bill is marked "paid in full".

“We want to thank our customers for making our day and hopefully they will make someone else’s as well – that’s what Lovin’ is all about,” a spokeswoman for McDonald’s said.

I went to McDonald's this morning to get a drink and watched a woman with several children break into tears as her lunch was paid for with a a smile. She must have thanked the woman behind the counter a dozen times! 

This woman's thankfulness - and pure joy - over a few sandwiches and a couple soft drinks struck me. It was not the food that stirred her emotions - I don't even believe that it was the fact that she saved some money. It seemed as though she was touched by an act of kindness - love - that was shared with her and love that she then was encouraged to pass on to someone else. She stood near the counter, waiting for her order to come, and continued to smile, thank the woman at the counter, and then share the story with two or three others who stood nearby.

This woman - and her shock that someone would show her love in this way -  immediately drew my thought to Christ's payment on the cross for us. Jesus came down from His throne in heaven out of pure love for us. Jesus lived His life on earth ministering and serving those that no one else wanted to serve - the poor, the leprous, the forgotten ones - out of love. Jesus gave up His life to pay the price that sin demands for all of mankind because He loves.

Out of Jesus' love we see what love truly looks like. Through Jesus' love we can show love to those who need it most.  Because of Jesus' love our debt is paid in full.

This is not about a chicken sandwich, a soft drink, and a few french fries. This is about an eternal relationship with The One that loves with a love that we cannot define - a love that we cannot begin to comprehend. Let us not take God's love for granted - let us be thankful for the love of Jesus - now and forever.