WorshipSource.com

Hello from the air – somewhere in the middle of the U.S. - as I write.

On my flight to Grand Junction today, I had a layover in Denver and stopped off for some Panda Express for lunch. Panda Express isn’t exactly gourmet, but next to McDonalds or Sbarro, it definitely wins in my book. I had myself a little Orange Chicken & Broccoli Beef over some Chow Mein. Yum. And then I opened my fortune cookie to see what silly thing it had to say. I was actually surprised that what was inside made me think a bit.  It read:

"If you want something, you must earn it."

It’s true, I feel like we spend most of our days trying "earn" things…it’s exhausting. Work hard for good grades. Work hard to be cool enough. Work hard to stay in shape. Work hard to pay bills. Work hard to earn respect. Work hard to get promoted at work. Work hard to keep the house clean, the laundry done, the garden weeded, and plants the watered. Work hard to make a good meal and clean the dishes afterwards. Work hard to have a quiet time. Work hard to practice guitar or learn a new song for worship this week. Work longer hours, work overtime, work while you drive, while you drink coffee, even while you watch TV at night. And while you take an afternoon walk you might as well take your cell phone and knock out a few calls rather than "waste the time." I know I’m guilty!

Does anyone else feel like their life ends up being like one never-ending to-do list? Sacrifices must be made in order to work your way up the ladder of life…to snag a better job or a new house, to improve family relationships, to afford that weekend vacation you desperately need. Don’t get me wrong, there are great lessons to be learned by working hard. We teach our kids the value of a dollar and that money doesn’t grow on trees. We all need to learn those lessons, and the Lord does want us to work hard and be a good example in that respect – to do everything we do as unto the Lord.

But then there is another lesson the Lord doesn’t want us to miss:  There IS something extraordinary in this life this life that CAN’T be earned. Not by working harder or striving to be better.  God offers us salvation through His son Jesus absolutely FREE! He offers us his grace and His love, whether or not we even choose to love Him in return.

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

It was nothing WE did to earn His love. He offers it to us simply because we’re His sons and daughters. But no wonder in this "earn-it" world we live in, we have a hard time receiving that. I feel like I have to be perfect, be strong, be holy, be spiritual, be a leader, be a servant, be a good wife, be a good worship leader, be a good daughter, be a good friend…but the reality is, none of that "doing more" or "being good" earns me anything in God’s economy.

And I guess I don’t know what more to say, but THANK YOU LORD. Thank you for loving me that much. Help us all learn how to receive Your love more in each of our lives. I know I want more of you Lord – and unlike the fortune cookie fortune-writer wants me to believe, I know the truth is that all I have to do is ask and receive. Amazing.