Boys love their baseball cards. Problem is they love someone else's more. So if a buddy has one a little guy wants, he'll try to work out a trade.
I caught my sons trying to outsmart each other, and for a while things were calm. Suddenly Andy found a card in his little brother's book he just had to have. It had zero value but Brady refused. I quickly observed he'll be a tough business man. No matter what his big brother offered, Brady wouldn't budge. Andy offered Hall of Famers, MVP's, even wanna-be Hall of Famers banned from baseball...nothing would entice the 6 year old.
I said, "Brady, your brother is offering up some real good stuff."
He wasn't impressed.
In fact, he decided it was time to issue a statement. (It was like watching two team GM's negotiate).
He said to his big brother, "Andy, no matter what you offer me, I'm not gonna give it up."
The brothers kept bickering, and I began thinking. How often have I rejected God's loving pursuit as I tell him, "No matter what you offer me, I'm not gonna give it up."
The Bible says Jesus 'stands at the door and knocks.' While I'm comforted knowing he is present, sometimes I cover my ears knowing deep down I really don't want to change. His Word says He offers me peace, but I choose to worry. He is slow to anger, but I usually think He's mad at me. He offers eternal life, but I think about the problems of today. He promises to forget my sin, but I still feel guilty. He offers me relationship, but I don't have the time most days. He tells me to be courageous, but I'm afraid. Like a stubborn little boy refusing to hand over a worthless baseball card in exchange for something valuable, I hold on to what I have, knowing it doesn't even compare.
Each of us has something we refuse to give up, no matter what He offers in return. What is the card we are holding, refusing to hand over? An addiction, grudge, relationship, jealousy? I love what the prophet Isaiah said about Jesus, that "A bruised reed He will not break." We're all bruised reeds swaying in the wind, and Jesus is patient, compassionate, and gentle as He walks in our midst seeking our trust. The question is, what do we really gain by hanging on to what is worthless?
I caught my sons trying to outsmart each other, and for a while things were calm. Suddenly Andy found a card in his little brother's book he just had to have. It had zero value but Brady refused. I quickly observed he'll be a tough business man. No matter what his big brother offered, Brady wouldn't budge. Andy offered Hall of Famers, MVP's, even wanna-be Hall of Famers banned from baseball...nothing would entice the 6 year old.
I said, "Brady, your brother is offering up some real good stuff."
He wasn't impressed.
In fact, he decided it was time to issue a statement. (It was like watching two team GM's negotiate).
He said to his big brother, "Andy, no matter what you offer me, I'm not gonna give it up."
The brothers kept bickering, and I began thinking. How often have I rejected God's loving pursuit as I tell him, "No matter what you offer me, I'm not gonna give it up."
The Bible says Jesus 'stands at the door and knocks.' While I'm comforted knowing he is present, sometimes I cover my ears knowing deep down I really don't want to change. His Word says He offers me peace, but I choose to worry. He is slow to anger, but I usually think He's mad at me. He offers eternal life, but I think about the problems of today. He promises to forget my sin, but I still feel guilty. He offers me relationship, but I don't have the time most days. He tells me to be courageous, but I'm afraid. Like a stubborn little boy refusing to hand over a worthless baseball card in exchange for something valuable, I hold on to what I have, knowing it doesn't even compare.
Each of us has something we refuse to give up, no matter what He offers in return. What is the card we are holding, refusing to hand over? An addiction, grudge, relationship, jealousy? I love what the prophet Isaiah said about Jesus, that "A bruised reed He will not break." We're all bruised reeds swaying in the wind, and Jesus is patient, compassionate, and gentle as He walks in our midst seeking our trust. The question is, what do we really gain by hanging on to what is worthless?
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