Raise your hand if you love chips and guacamole. [Raises both hands] If you don’t like Mexican food, I’m not sure we can be friends. I kid, I kid. [Half kidding]

But f’real, I am a lover of gastronomical experiments and adventures, so while I was in Chicago a couple months ago, I called my friend Tim to join me at Frontera, an amazing Mexican restaurant in downtown started and owned by Rick Bayless. I know you’re seeing the last name Bayless and thinking that doesn’t sound Hispanic, but worry not. This brother THROWS DOWN in the cocina. [<—Google Translator: This means kitchen.]

I know I’m dramatic but hand to heaven, I had the best Mexican food of. my. life. This may sound heretical but I almost saw the face of Jesus in my guacamole, it was that good. The meal continued and we left blown away by the amazingness of Chef Bayless.

[Don’t worry, this is not a food review. This post will have a point. I promise.]

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard Chef Bayless was opening his newest restaurant, Red O, in Orange County. I died. No literally, I stalked this joint weekly until it opened so I could make a reservation. After talking about this place like it was the second coming of Christ, Matt had the bar set high when we walked into the ornate restaurant.

• The ambiance: amazing.
• The decor: über fab.
• The vibe: swanky.

But the food? Oh Lawd, have mercy!

Everything was under seasoned. The “Mexican” street corn was undercooked. The chips were bland. And the salsa was blaźe at best. When they brought out the kale salad, I died. Really? Mexicans DON’T EAT KALE. [I mean, I do. But not with my family.] The people around me seemed to enjoy their food, but it’s Newport Beach. People survive off of protein shakes and celery sticks.

My Mexican grandmother is rolling in her grave at the fact that we paid to eat this food.

I’ve been thinking about this experience because I wrote a Yelp review about our dinner and discovered that Chef Bayless isn’t there, doesn’t visit, and just franchised his name. Hang on, people: He sold his name.

He sold the one thing that gave the restaurant it’s credibility.

But why am I surprised? This is going on by the thousands everyday. And sadly, even within the Church. My boss always says, “The gift that is upon you will destroy you if what is in you cannot sustain you.” The gift that the Lord bestows to us is for His good and glory. When we use this gift as a marketing tactic, sales booster, or commodified trait, we are selling ourselves.

We are not brands. We are not hirelings for sale. Our gifts and talents are bestowed by a gracious God who is searching the earth to find those who are loyal to Him to show Himself strong.

Don’t sell yourself. Don’t rank out. Don’t give yourself away and the spiritual gifts God has given you for the sake of wealth or popularity. It’s better to be marked by God, than marketed by man. 

Media and marketing and magazines are telling people to sell themselves for the sake of fame and popularity. But we are not prostitutes! We don’t sell ourselves and our callings for a fleeting gain. Cows are branded. People aren’t.

Listen, I’m not some big, fancy super star or mega church pastor, but trust me. It’s better to serve and lead in anonymity while keeping to who you truly are than selling out and being paid to be someone your not.

Don’t sell yourself or your gifting. You will just end up being as flavorless, unseasoned, and bland as Red O’s chips.