Anyone who has been to Chick Fil-A has heard the phrases “how may I serve you?” and “my pleasure” from cheerful employees. This is the external indicator of Dan and Truett Cathy’s conspiracy to flood the working world with people who are polite, respectful, and cheerful. These workers will go on to take jobs in industry and government where they will outperform their peers because of these behaviors (assuming they retain them). This is not that they won’t have the same issues as their contemporaries, but that in their dealings with others they will exhibit positive communications skills. This conspiracy could turn the workforce upside down, rewarding and promoting traditional values like respect for others and good manners, rather than aggressive and self-serving focus on advancement.
How does this relate to faith vs. panache? Flamboyance in style or action is often seen in exuberant worship that can mask the inner workings of faith in a believer’s life. We go to worship services and often don’t have the opportunity to address with others our inner turmoil regarding circumstances, doubts, or challenges. Instead we come before the Lord and participate in faith. St. Paul reflected on this to the extreme in defending his holy boldness. (2 Corinthians 11:21-30) The background is this: it is in our challenges, our adverse circumstances, trials, and temptations that we have the opportunity to engage most strongly and directly with Jesus. Just as teenagers learn to show up for work and be polite when things are grumpy, and therein learn a solid work and workplace ethic, norms, and behaviors, so we believers learn to live in faith and experience the power of God’s grace when we worship in church and interact with God and His people in faith directly despite our situation. This is training for heaven.
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