Fast food is something that has come to define our generation. This generation has been nicknamed "Generation Now" - if it involves waiting it probably is not worth it. We want things done as fast as possible whether it be internet , microwave dinners, or even our devotions. Not only do we want things done quickly, we want them done our way. While this desire of speed and personalization is best seen in fast food restaurants - it can also be seen in the way that we do our devotions.
"What Would You Like?"
This is often the first thing that a person hears when they walk into a fast food restaurant. The restaurant is your domain and you are it's "Burger King" or "Dairy Queen". Here, unlike at home, you can decide exactly what you would like to eat - after all, you as the customer are always right. You want fries with that? Done. You want to substitute fries for a salad? Done. You want lettuce, tomato, red onion, black olives, and jalapeno peppers on your sub? Done. It doesn't matter what the other people with you are getting, you are allowed to get what you want. You eat your meal, and the people you are with eat their meals - you might share some parts of it, but you are individuals eating different things.
This is something that we can see in how we do our devotions - we do them by ourselves. We keep our devotions to ourselves, and only share if we are prodded. Instead of using our devotions communally to build up the body, we keep our devotions private and secret. It is what God has to say to me, not to we. If asked about my devotional life, I will tell you that I did devotions, not what my devotions were about or what I learned. I might give you a more substantial answer here and there, but the majority of my spiritual walk is kept to myself. Just as fast food has caused a meal to no longer be a fully communal event, our devotions have gone from the realm of community to the realm of the private.
"Do You Want to Supersize That?"
Another "benefit" of fast food is that we are allowed to emphasize what we like best. You like fries? Supersize it! You want more Sprite? Supersize it! You like fries and Sprite? Make a combo...and then supersize it! This is about maximizing what you like, because your meal just wouldn't be the same without a larger mound of fries. Not only are we allowed to maximize what we enjoy, we view this as a right. I have the right to choose what and how much I want to eat.
This sense of entitlement is seen in how we do devotions as well. We can pick and choose what we want to do for our devotions - what do I want to emphasize? My devotions become more about what I want God to say to me, as opposed to what God wants to say to me. I buy a book or set up a program that emphasizes what I like - the Psalms, academic learning, "man" stories. This is not to belittle, make light of, or deny the benefit of doing devotional programs like this - I am only wanting to raise the question, does this help you grow? Are you stretched? Do your devotions challenge you to grow in your faith, or do they just give you what you want to hear?
"How Long is the Line?"
This is the ultimate question that a person asks when they pull into the parking lot. The answer to this question determines whether or not you eat inside, go through the drive-thru, or choose another restaurant. Afterall, if I have to wait for it then it isn't worth it.
This is the biggest way that fast food has impacted the way that we do devotions. If there is too long of a line of things to do, then we decide that it is better to not do them. I want instant gratification - and if my devotions will not provide this, then maybe I should wait until they will. If the devotional involves any hard work then it is not worth it. This devalues our devotions - instead of them being something that our day is build on, they become something that is an added feature that really makes no difference in our life. As if we can tell the God of the Universe, that we found something more important than spending time with Him!
We are told in the Bible (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2*, Psalm 119:97) to meditate on the Word of God - this is not something that just happens, but is something which involves effort. We do not want to put the effort that our spiritual lives require - devotions are like the exercise for our soul, so why are we lazy? Do we really think that having our "devotions-to-go" is the best option? If we view devotions as a part of our conversation with God, what does it say about us whenwe spend 30 minutes, at most, being aware of Him?
Don't treat your devotions like your do fast food. Instead, treat it like you would a home cooked meal - you are sharing everything in community, you are taking the time to prepare a meal and eat it, and you are eating a balanced meal which will help you grow. Don't quickly scarf down your devotions, but rather take your time to chew it, meditate on it, enjoy it, and grow from it.
*For a good blog on this Psalm check out http://michealfisk.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/worship-is-study/
