I’m prone to tuning out t.v.
commercials, as I do most programming.
And I’m also prone to involuntary whiplashing when I hear an
overly-exuberant advertiser scream, “But
WAIT! If you order right NOW, you get one [whutever] FREE! All you have to do is pay for shipping costs!”
My
initial reaction is, if you gotta pay for shipping, it ain’t free. Second, unless
I believe my special friend/relative would genuinely want one, whatfer do I
need two of this gizmo?
It’s everywhere, like bug
infestations – “buy one, get
one free!” “Two for the price of one!”
Well, I guess my cantankerousness
is showing. I get a wee bit annoyed when I’m being told that I’m getting a stupendous
deal, when instead, they’re not-so-subtly trying to abscond with my moulah. That’s the real BOGO … play mind games with
me AND steal me blind! Wheee!
Okay, rant over. But since I still feel like ranting, let’s do
it in a more uplifting manner. Psalm
119:18, 37 gives me the excellent advice of opening my eyes TO worthy things,
and keeping my eyes OFF worthless things.
Isn’t this fun? Two rants for the
price of one!
So, what worth-ful thing,
or Person, CAN I set my eyes on? In
today’s lingo, The Lord Jesus is indeed my Savior (Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4), BUT
WAIT!! He’s more! He’s also my Advocate (1 John 2:1), my
Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4), my Redeemer (Romans 3:24), and so much
more. And furthermore, He’s “free.” There is no fee, there is nothing extra to pay, EVER!
So, what do I get out of
this? I get … to be God’s permanently adopted
child (John 1:12; Galatians 4:5-6). BUT
WAIT, there’s more! If I’m saved
today, I also get … to be declared justified, and glorified (Romans 8:38), and
sanctified (1 John 3:14). Hey, my name is recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20), all
for no extra charge! My bill has been
paid, permanently. There is
no small print, no sneak fees. It’s
done. Finished (John 19:30).
My Lord and my God, in
this holiday season of expressing thankfulness, and of buying and giving and
receiving, always looking for the best deals, the free deals, let me never
forget the only “deal” that has ever mattered ... that you have reconciled me to Yourself (Colossians 1:20) through my
Jesus. You’ve made it clear that I am permanently and endlessly loved (John
10:29) by You. My Jesus, You are my permanent
treasure in heaven, and all other earthly treasures are very temporary. Thank
You for insisting that I keep my eyes away from worthless things, and instead, fixing my secure and confident hope upon You, my Rock and my Savior,
the hope laid up for me in heaven (Colossians 1:5). I am indeed eternally thankful for You.