Last week, I was at the checkout line at Target, and the planner I had picked up turned out to be 50% off!
I would’ve done a happy dance out the exit doors, but I did one inside my head to avoid humiliating my daughter.
Years ago, when I was in the salesman’s office to purchase my first car, we got the deal of a lifetime.
Granted, the vehicle had no luxury features, and the fanciest thing inside were automatic locks, but hey, I was thrilled to purchase it anyway!
You know the feeling…the exhilaration and confidence you suddenly develop when you walk out of the store after getting a great deal. Nothing like getting to the register with a pair of jeans or shoes marked down.
Someone hand me a trophy, I feel like a winner!
Yes, saving a couple of dollars can be thrilling, but my husband reminded me of a truth: nothing is truly free.
Someone somewhere had to spend the money at some point….to make the product, to build the car, to design the planner, to construct the building. Everything comes at a price.
As we were driving home today, my daughter and I were conversing about Daddy’s statement. She asked me if our life was free.
I told her that our life came at a cost, which was the blood of Jesus. Our life is not free. I then told her when we get to Heaven, everything would be free…we wouldn’t need to spend money.
Then she made a profound statement:
“Heaven isn’t free, but believing is.”
She got it! Salvation is a free gift, but eternity in heaven comes at a price.
What was the cost? Here it is in Matthew 27: 28-29, 31 (NIV):
“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said… After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”
Jesus endured horrifying, unfair treatment so that I could live the Kingdom life here on earth and then reign with Him in eternity.
And the unbelievable part of it all: because of the price Jesus Christ paid, your belief in Him as your Savior and Lord and your eternity with Him in Heaven is absolutely free.
I can’t think of a better reason to do a happy dance!
~Betsy
*photo by Markus Spiske on unsplash.com
