September 30, 2024 – Daily Devotional
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” -Philippians 2:3-4
Anyone who has ever been involved in a construction or remodel project knows that it can be chaotic. Projects never seem to be completed on time, and the cost of the work is often more than originally predicted. A renovation project can be a messy undertaking.
Chris Spires knew that the renovation of his Chick-fil-A store would take a long time. The store would be closed for several months. He also knew that his 100 employees would be out of work until the store was ready to reopen. Chris was concerned that his employees would have to find work elsewhere.
The more Spires began to think about the void that would be left in his community while his store was closed, the more he wanted to do something positive in time while the store was under construction. Spires made the bold decision to continue to pay his employees while the store was closed for renovation.
Chick-fil-A in Plainfield, Indiana, has benefited from the community for many years. The employees depended on their paychecks. Chris Spires determined the best thing to do was to pay his employees to serve in the community while the store was under renovation. Each employee would be paid to serve in local non-profit groups to help give back to the community. While the store was closed, the employees would clock in, but they would go to work to support their community. They would be taking a break from making chicken sandwiches but still making a difference.
There are many times in our lives when situations are far from perfect. In fact, life can often be messy. But even amid the chaos, we can find opportunities to be a blessing. When I heard the story of Chris Spires and his commitment to making a positive difference for his employees and his community, I was reminded that we can choose how we approach each situation. No matter our circumstances, we can be a blessing.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
