Perhaps one of the most noticeable advents of the hearts of many growing cold in these days is the gal at the checkout counter who says to each successive customer, “How are you today?” Not “Good morning” or “Good afternoon,” not simply “Hello,” but a question, one they do not generally see as loving or even concerned about the welfare of that person, but simply as a means of recognition of the person now standing before them.
Most generally, that person’s response will be “Fine,” or perhaps the expected response of so many, “I’m good today, how are you?”
It is, for our days the fulfillment of both Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” And 2nd Timothy 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
Most people also realize that the person behind the counter is not really interested in whatever possible ailments you might be experiencing today, they are not a psychologist or trained physician with decades of experience in the fields of the flesh or the mind, they have simply fallen into the trap of politeness, and that to the point of uncaring.
They are nothing more than words that reveal they have noticed you.
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1st Cor. 9:22)
There is a line of people, probably impatient people behind you and they are at their place of employment, but this is a trap that you must not fall into, you must recognize it and from today onward begin to modify your response to those behind the counter, or a callousness may start to form within you towards all those you meet who offer the required greeting of “How are you today?”
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
You are in the world in these moments, and these moments are the perfect opportunity to express the love that has been revealed to you by your Father in heaven to those who may not yet know Him as such. It is not the time for an in-depth discussion on the meaning of the cross, of the subtlety of our adversary, of sin unrepented of or the forgiveness offered to all through grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is a good time to not be embarrassed about Him whom you say you serve, it is the perfect opportunity, each and every time to plant a seed.
“God is good,” or perhaps “I’m blessed.”
What do you suppose their response would be if they looked up at you while you said that and you just happen to be using a pair of crutches at that time? A questioning look, no doubt.
“How are you today?”
“One more day closer to heaven.”
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6)
Do you fear that person behind the counter? Those fellow employees of yours? That person you are speaking to on the phone? Does it bring anxiety into your life, does it make you nervous about what their response may be if you say to them, “Who do you say Jesus Christ is?
Shall I offer you this verse again? “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)
This is how you begin the battle against fear, against embarrassment, not with the reply of “I’m fine, how are you?” but simply with a few words that set you apart from the world, that tells that person that you are not like all the other people they have met today, not like those standing in line behind you.
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
You have these words within you, they are dead in their trespasses and sins. Just a few words may change that person’s entire life, and where they will spend eternity.
Simple words of love that will reveal to them that they also are loved.