By Ashley Burkett | Contributor
The moment has arrived.
Nearly every semester, a Taylor student publishes an article criticizing the quality and variety of campus cuisine. Generally, the contributor lists the fluctuations of the DC's visual set up, temperature of food, selection variety and freshness of product.
This year, it's my turn. At each meal, as we wander around searching for the best option, we internally spew out complaints: Seriously, no more bowls? How old is this apple? Why is the chicken line always long? Isn't this supposed to be the healthy section?
I am sure that many-if not all-of these thoughts have crossed your mind at some point, whether you're a senior forced to eat at the DC on Friday nights or a freshman dealing with week four of DC meals. But, unlike my predecessors, I am here to make a new claim. Though many have blamed the food options and quality for our continual dissatisfaction, I propose that the essence of the problem is within us, the students.
As students at a Christian university, we claim to be . . . well, Christians. This claim suggests that we are committed to reflecting the character of Christ through our thoughts, words and actions. Yet I have observed that both I and my fellow DC-goers are hypocrites.
For example, it's 5:15 p.m. I am hungry and eager to leave my half-finished essay to the lonely confines of my room and walk to the DC. But when I get there, nothing strikes my fancy. After roaming about in attempt to compile an ideal dinner plate, I return to my table of friends. As I set my full plate on the table, I generate conversation by saying, "There's nothing to eat!" Then, because I am a "good Christian," I bow my head and thank God for the food.
Through this entire narrative, does anything seem off? I, along with many of you, have fallen into the sinful cycle of complaining, yet still have the audacity to thank my heavenly Father for what He provides.
Perhaps you are now thinking, "Humph. I don't complain about the DC food. It's food, dude!" But have you ever complained about classes? Weather? Dorm life? If you have, then congratulations! You are also a part of our complaining Christian community.
Dear Taylor students, I write this article not to call out individuals, because I myself am guilty of hypocrisy. Instead, I write this to call out our community as a whole. We are not reflecting the character of Christ through our ungratefulness. Instead, we tarnish His name by producing the self-righteous image of thankfulness with our pre-dinner prayers.
I propose that as a Christian community we take our faith seriously. Let us repent from our complaining and be renewed by God to take on an attitude of genuine thankfulness. Let us as the body of Christ keep each other accountable to produce words and actions filled with joy, love and thankfulness. Let us as God's children cease gathering in the DC to complain but instead gather to thank our heavenly Father for His provision and many blessings.
