GET OUT OF JAIL FREE?
Photo courtesy of Rob Hans - Pixels (on Google Images)
For some folks, life is just a big game. Consider a Minnesota man who was arrested for a felony warrant. He actually presented the deputy a “Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free” card from a Monopoly game. He quickly discovered the card doesn't work in real life. He went straight to jail and did NOT "Pass Go."
Perhaps we're more like this fellow than we care to admit. In the midst of anxious situations, we simply want an easy fix to our struggles. A shortcut. Push a button, problem solved. Flash a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card and everything's OK. Just get rid of my troubles, Lord. Hakuna matata. No worries for the rest of my days.
Of course we don’t need a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card to free us from the bondage of sin, because Jesus accomplished that at the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). But that’s just the beginning. God’s agenda is for us to become like Jesus. And to do that, He allows difficulties to smash our idols and teach us to depend on Him. The adversity we wrestle to avoid, is the fuel that propels us toward the image of Christ. Even as we grab our Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free cards, James 1:2 reminds us to “consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way” (GNT). Not exactly something we run to embrace. Yet it's exactly what we sign on for, as followers of Jesus.
Face it. Most of us are addicted to comfort. We want what we want, when we want it, the way we want it. And if we don't get it...watch out! Sometimes we even make ourselves uncomfortable, striving to maintain our comfort!
What if we surrender our idol of comfort and accept God’s best for us? (Proverbs 3:5-6). We could enjoy the abundant life Jesus promises (John 10:10). It’s available for all of us; and we don’t need a “Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card to experience it.
Ponder:
What specific comforts (physically, emotionally or spiritually) do you depend on, that God might be calling you to surrender to him?
How can you learn to surrender these comforts and experience the abundant life of Jesus in a deeper way?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Proverbs 3:1-10.
Lord Jesus, I confess my tendency to desire a life of comfort. Take me to a higher level of living in connection with you, so I can experience more of your joy.
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