My pleasure!
Adobe
ChatGPTI live in Chick-fil-A country. I'm a member of the church Truett Cathy attended. Bubba Cathy still does. At church recently, Bubba Cathy was holding a door open for people, and I thanked him as I passed. "My pleasure," he replied without missing a beat.
Chick-fil-A staff are famous for telling customers that it's their pleasure to serve them. They borrowed the practice from the Ritz Carlton hotel chain. Ritz Carlton is renowned for excellent customer service that makes guests feel valued. Chick-fil-A decided to take that approach into the fast-food industry.
More than likely, you've had the unfortunate experience of feeling as if you were causing an unwelcome disturbance by placing an order at a fast-food restaurant.
Perhaps the employee at the counter seemed to be preoccupied with much more important matters than taking orders. Maybe you felt compelled to apologize for the interruption. Chick-Fil-A's dedication to excellent customer service is one of the reasons the chain has become so popular. Staff behave as if it is their supreme delight to prepare a chicken sandwich for a customer. Who wouldn't want to return to a place like that?!
We live in a society that is becoming increasingly self-absorbed. We are constantly being told that everything revolves around us and that we have the right to be happy, to have our needs met, to get what we want, and to avoid doing anything we don't want to do. We are a consumer society.
In this regard, Christianity is supremely countercultural. Instead of looking for what we can get,we are commanded to recognize what we can give.We aren't instructed to act out of obligation but out of pleasure.
Jesus told his would-be followers that they were to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). Salt prevents spoilage. Light dispels darkness. Jesus was saying that wherever a Christian goes, things should get better. Jesus didn't want his followers to be preoccupied with what they could receive. He commanded them to focus on serving others.
We aren't naturally wired to think that way. We can easily become so self-focused that we go all day without ever considering what wemight do for someone else.
Yet selfishness inevitably leads to misery. We were created in God's image, and we reflect our maker far more by giving than by receiving.
While it's still early in the year, you have the glorious opportunity to hit "reset" on some behaviors. Perhaps last year was characterized by self-centered living. Maybe your feelings were hurt because people weren't more generous with you. Those attitudes lead in only one unfortunate direction.
This year, focus on beinga blessing rather than on receivingone. Instead of taking offence at every perceived slight, be on high alert for opportunities to serve someone else.
When you are with a friend, focus on them and their life rather than droning on about yours. Smile and express gratitude when you interact with customer service representatives. If you notice someone in need, offer to help.
Last month, I was flying home from Asheville, NC. Delta invited guests needing extra time to check in. An older woman using a walker and pulling luggage proceeded toward the plane. I confess, when it comes to travel, I hategetting behind slow-moving people! It's an aspect of my character that is far from being fully sanctified.
After I checked in, I went through the door and immediately ran into a logjam. That poor woman had to walk down a makeshift construction sidewalk. She couldn't manage the downward slope while pushing her walker and pulling her luggage. There was a line of people at a standstill while the woman futilely tried to turn a corner to continue down the sloping walkway. No oneoffered to help.
I was about 10 people behind her. I was pulling my own computer bag, but I hollered to the woman, "Ma'am, let me help you!" I squeezed by the other passengers standing in the walkway until I reached her. "Let me take your bags," I said as I grabbed her suitcase. Admittedly, part of my reasoning was that if I didn'thelp, we would all be stuck in that jetway for a long time. But I also saw someone in need, and no one else was offering to help. I pulled her luggage all the way to the plane. She thanked me profusely.
It felt goodto help that woman. It cost me nothing, but it blessed someone. It made her feel noticed and respected. It made me want to do it again. It's not merely a Christian obligation to serve others. Helping people can actually be a delightful experience. Not everyone will express gratitude, but I can still take joy in having made my immediate world just a little bit better than it was before.
I have determined that in 2026, I want to bless others more often than I have in the past. I won't wait for someone else to step up. I can't change the entire world, but I can make myworld a little kinder. I can't necessarily change people's lives, but I can introduce some salt and light into their day. It is my pleasure to do so.
 | Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Georgia. He travels internationally speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life. Richard regularly ministers to Christian CEOs and business leaders. He has written or co-authored 33 books . This article was first published on RichardBlackaby.com. Used with permission from Blackaby Ministries International. Learn More » |
More on Leadership Development & Discipleship
- 10 unexpected leadership qualities I need on my team (by Scott Cochrane)
- The litmus test for successful ministry: always up and to the right? (by Charles Stone)
- 8 predictors of church growth (by Thom Rainer)
- Follow forward without fear (by Tim Tucker)
