Butterburger

Sitting in a Culver’s, enjoying a Deluxe Butterburger, fries, and an unexpectedly good coffee, I was reminded of a few things…

Quality travels-  When we arrived 30+ years ago, I’d never heard of Culver’s and they had only one family-run location in Sauk City.  Now, they’re at 900 locations in 26 states!  How’d they do it?  Well, coming from the realm of the Golden Arches, I’d have to say that Culver’s food and service quality set them apart.  While no Culver’s is perfect, you can be pretty certain you’re going to be treated well.

Belonging travels-  Though I’m not from Wisconsin, I love it here and do belong.  The people and independent spirit that abounds is rather invigorating.  Early on, I remember being challenged with labels like “flatlander” and others more profane!  Wisconsinites will test your mettle to see how you stand and where your confidence comes from.  Perhaps it’s a bit of a Badger thing!

Typically, belonging comes from some combination of a person’s community, circumstances, and performance.  But what if belonging could be far more durable and portable than such variable sources?  Also, internalized freely from a source so unchanging and inexhaustible that it renders mute all merit-based sources, and the selfish-pride or self-loathing that flow from them, by the power of it’s sacrificial love and generous grace?  That’s what faith in Jesus is supposed to be about!

Let’s get on it, sharing the belonging Jesus uniquely offers and living out his Spirit’s qualities-  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  They both travel well and make lasting, positive difference.  Welcome to even more delicious!

“The fruit of the Spirit is is love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and 

self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23