It was an opportunity …
a gift …
one that we knew, but they did not.
It wasn’t huge, nor was it small …
it wasn’t a need, nor was it just a want …
but it would be helpful,
make life easier,
better.
Though we didn’t communicate this as a gift, we also did not, not communicate it.
The offer was in our wording, to be revealed if asked, if the one condition was met.
The one who could benefit from this offer, this gift, had only to meet one condition.
But,
that condition meant hard things …
patience.
humility.
sacrifice.
But,
for us to follow through, to give the gift, they had to take the next step.
The gift had a condition, a hoop to jump through.
I was frustrated as I realized that they were so focused one their goal, they were going to miss what was being offered. That they would miss out on the thing that would bring greater help and ease, long term, because they were so focused on the short term desires.
Then, it came to me …
that’s me.
I want what I want, when I want it. Often, my mind is so focused on my goal and my expediency to accomplish it that I miss out on the longer term goals, that can bring better results.
When I think of this sort of impatience, I often think of times of buyer’s remorse. When I have seen a shiny item that lights up my moment and have to have it! Often I spend too much, or spend money on something that truly has only momentary gain … at the cost of something of better quality, because I refused to wait.
God’s love for us is freely offered to all. It is a gift that satisfies us, not just today, but for always. There is nothing hindering our receipt of his love … except that we have to accept it, accept him as our one and only way to a better life, to redemption.
His word reminds us of what is offered to us, the opportunities and gifts that are ours if we would …
Even John 3:16, no doubt one of the most often verses quoted, has an if – then statement.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The eternal life that is offered to all of humanity is an offer with a condition … and conditions come with some sort of sacrifice. In this case the condition is to believe in God … sounds easy enough. But, when we are in the midst of why God moments … belief is a sacrifice … to our understanding, to our pride. It requires patience and humility. But, our understanding and pride are short term … this life that God offers is eternal. It is the long term goal, over the short term.
When we really take the time to understand the offer, we also have to realize that our sacrifice is nothing in comparison to the cost of it … that of the Son of God.
May our … my … eyes be open to what is being offered to me, every day. I pray my focus is on what lasts.
itsawonderfilledlife 