While both may at times satisfy my hunger pangs, both cannot satisfy my tasty cravings. If you will notice, Subway deli meats and cheeses come pre-sliced and pre-packaged. I suppose for convenience; but my question has always been, "How fresh is that?" Blimpie meats and cheeses are sliced fresh right before your very eyes. I think fresh-sliced fixings are more tasty. Pre-sliced meats in a deli are kind of like tearing a banana from its stem prematurely; it turns brown faster and spoils quicker. I also like to watch everything being sliced; no secrets!
We live in a microwave society. A society of frozen foods, instant popcorn, and magazine racks filled with books like Meals in 30 Minutes. Thanks, Rachael Ray! It just so happens that I own that book! My point is simply that Subway may be a little faster in getting you through the line and getting the food to your mouth, but to what extent does that negate the pampering of your taste buds? Do we really want to sacrifice taste for two or three extra minutes? Do we really want to sacrifice quality for convenience? A former co-worker of mine had a picture in his office that read; “fast, good, and cheap; pick two.” In other words, you can have only two of the three at any given time. You can get something fast, but it can either be good or cheap not both.
It's interesting, when you eat something that is not very tasty and fresh (like stale potato chips), you don't eat very many. In fact, you sort of lose your taste for more. But, when you sink your teeth into something that makes your taste buds sing the Hallelujah Chorus, you always want more. It seems that you can never get enough; your hunger can never be totally satisfied. I suppose, in my opinion, that freshness would be the difference in taste between Subway and Blimpie.Where am I going with these random thoughts? For fun, let’s apply the idea of Subway and Blimpie to a person’s spiritual walk. Would you rather be a Subway follower of Jesus or a Blimpie follower of Jesus? Let’s do a quick comparison of the two (spiritually speaking):
Subway Christ-Follower / Blimpie Christ-Follower
When it comes to the Christian life there are no short-cuts. To grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God takes intentional and consistent effort; there are no substitutes. It is prideful for us to ever think that we can attain a deep, intimate walk with God, by putting forth cheap effort.
The Psalmist says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good." The fact of the matter is that once you taste and see, you'll never want to taste or see anything else. Nothing else can satisfy. Once you taste and see the deep riches of God by spending quality time digging below the surface of His Word, nothing else can satisfy. Once you taste and see the joy of walking with Him and serving others from pure motives, nothing else can satisfy. Once you taste and see the richness of sacrificial giving versus the bankruptcy of convenient shallowness, nothing else can satisfy. Once you taste and see the living waters of the Word of God and it nourishes your soul, nothing else can satisfy. Once you taste and see the presence of the Lord in worship, a cheap effort and partial commitment will not satisfy.I'm hungry; it's time to eat!