July 13, 2026

Center Your Burger

God appreciates excellence in all we do. There are several scriptures that exhort us to do our best, run a good race, and then, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Many years ago my son went to Texas, hired as a Youth Pastor for a well-known church in San Antonio. The first message I heard his pastor preach had to do with doing an excellent job on every task, even those fast food positions for kids. It was a young church with a large youth group. He spoke to those kids about the person who would b eating the burger. “Center the meat on the bun. Make certain the cheese fits the meat properly. Be neat. Not too many condiments, just enough.” He wanted them to understand the idea that those who are faithful in little things will be faithful and trusted in much as they mature. That is a core principle in the Kingdom of God. We read the Word, we study the Commandments, and we research the meaning behind parables.

The goal is to always do our best. When someone pays us for a service or food or an item, they deserve respect, a smile and our effort. That might sound silly with a fast-food burger. But it isn’t. Twenty-eight years after I heard that sermon, I am writing about it because it was so important to me. I think about the principle often.

Why does it matter? Excellence is important. The kids who center that burger on the bun and smile at the customer will be noticed by the manager. When he is looking to give a promotion or choose a shift leader, he will remember the young people who put in extra effort.

Eventually that well trained burger maker will graduate from high school and go on to college. The same ethics that centered the meat will rise up, causing the student to study harder and skip dorm partis for study hours. Character is born out of effort and habit. It is born out of a sincere desire to give others the same respect we crave to receive. God’s design works. The student matures, graduates college, and all the life lessons learned from making hamburgers will likely lead into a successful career.

Small things lead to big things. Hard work leads to understanding the value of perseverance. Always give your best. No matter what.

Lord God, I am so grateful You have exposed me to work ethics, time and financial values, and an understanding of how good habits are the cornerstone of good character and a rewarding life. Help me Lord to be positive, respectful and caring to others at all times.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:10