Secret Menus

When I first moved to California, almost everyone I met gave me a list of “must do’s” to help me fully understand, appreciate, and acclimate to my new environment. Someone said “you must” drive to Vegas. Well I am happy to report that I did drive to Las Vegas. And the first time I did was the last time I did. Someone else said “you must” go to the Griffith Observatory. Well, I am happy to report that I did visit the Griffith Observatory. And for a closet science geek like me, it was a mini-course in astronomy. Someone else said “you must” take the train to Santa Barbara. Well, I am happy to report that I did take the train to Santa Barbara. And I must confess that Santa Barbara is as beautiful and as breathtaking as everyone said it is. It remains one of my favorite spots to rest and relax. And just about everyone said “you must” go to In-N-Out Burger.

Even though I was born and raised in New York, I had heard of Las Vegas, the Griffith Observatory, and even Santa Barbara. But I had never heard of In-N-Out Burger. But every Los Angeleno I met, regardless of race, gender, or class insisted that they had the best hamburgers this side of heaven. For several months, I tried to see what all the fuss was about, but there was always a line. I mean, always—regardless of the time of day or night. I don’t frequent fast food restaurants as much as I used to (well except for Chick-Fil A and now Cane’s lol), so the idea of waiting in line for a hamburger seemed a bit odd to me. Eventually, I endured the line and found myself standing at the counter.

I still don’t know what shocked me more: how long the line was or how simple the menu was. The menu at In-N-Out burger is simple. You can order a single, a double, or a double-double hamburger or cheesburger; fries, and I think they offer three or four beverages—that’s it! I don’t remember what I ordered the first time. But the first time turned into a second, then a third, then a tenth. And I must confess that when I do have an urge for a hamburger, In-N-Out is the only option that ever crosses my mind. The food is fresh, the service is superb, and the menu is simple.

While doing some research about the history of the company, I learned a fascinating tidbit of information. I learned that In-N-Out has a secret menu! Although they only offer advertise a few items, they actually have several more that can be ordered. But to access this secret menu, you have to ask for it. And you usually have to ask the manager, because some of the employees are not even aware of it!

As I ruminated on that fact, it occurred to me that often in life, we tend to assume that the only options that are available are the ones that have been been presented to us. We assume that what is being advertised is all that there is in stock. But I am learning that there is always more on the menu that may first appear. And since there is more on the menu that may first appear, we should never settle for the options that we see. There is usually another option.

After the first king of Israel had disobeyed God and in so doing disqualified himself, God instructed Samuel to go to a man named Jesse’s house, for there he would find the next king. When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house, 1 Samuel 16:6-12 provides us with a front row seat to observe that happened:

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Essentially what Samuel was asking is “do you have any more sons on the menu?” The options that Jesse presented were not what God wanted. The options that Jesse were promoting were not what God preferred. The options that Jesse were recommending were not what caught God’s attention. Who God wanted wasn’t even on the menu. Who God wanted wasn’t even in the house!

Samuel’s question startled Jesse. But Jesse’s response is even more startling:

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

It is almost as if Jesse was surprised that Samuel would even be interested in the “youngest,” who was considered so unimportant that he had not even been considered. But most startling than all of this is Samuel’s subsequent request and his eventual decision:

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

Who God wanted wasn’t even on the menu!

Here’s a question: how many times have you accepted an option because you thought that was the only option available?

Let me remind you: there is always a secret menu.

There are always more options than those being promoted, advertised, or recommended. Stop assuming that what you see is all there is. God is always able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:19).

There is always a secret menu.