Have it your way....

It’s a popular marketing concept. At Burger King, you can order your burger any way you like it. Subway lays all the ingredients out so you can see and pick what you want piled on your sandwich. Frank Sinatra sang ‘I did it my way’.

I’ve known parents who caught their child smoking and simply said ‘ok, you want to smoke…smoke this whole pack tonight, we will sit with you while you do it’. I’m not so sure that was a good way to discipline, but that kid certainly had it his way and most likely didn‘t want it again.

And all of us have tried to pass on our own knowledge to others, knowledge we gained from our own hard experiences, and we’ve probably had to stand back and see our advice slung aside as that person had it his own way.



“Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes”(Proverbs 1:30-31 NIV).

God must shake His head in frustration as over and over we insist on having it our way. Even at all His warnings and instructions, His encouragement, the assurances of His love and best intent, we order up our own way, healthy or not.

It is so difficult to watch as a very, very wrong ‘my way’ unfolds. It is hard to see the consequences of bad decisions begin to materialize. When integrity and godliness disappear, arrogance, greed, and pride grow like weeds. When in obstinacy, leaders think ‘their way’ can be had at any cost, the cost gets greater and those who pay the price suffer in ignorance.

　

In this house, we sing along with Frank:
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way


I can say in all confidence that this particular way, was God’s way. With integrity, compassion, and a pure servant’s heart. 

Your next payment is due....

I frequently check the balance on the credit card I use for business purchases. I like to pay more than just once a month. When I call the toll free number, the automated services gives me information about my account. Usually, the voice will say “no payment is due at this time”.

Had I not already paid on the debt, that message would instead be “your next payment is due”, and give me a deadline for that payment.

　

“For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. He had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:18-20 Good News Bible)

No payment is due at this time. Or any other time.

I was in terrible debt, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

There is no going over the limit. No service charges, no yearly fee. My account is paid in full. Hallelujah. Thank You Lord Jesus.