I ran in a dollar store to pick up a few items for my daughter's scout troop meeting, my 7-year-old in tow. I don't know if you have ever taken a child who has money in her pocket into the Dollar Tree before, but just let me tell you THAT it is an experience!
The toy aisle was unavoidable. It might as well have had bright, flashing neon arrows above it with the Pied Piper playing his tune within it. My children have always been drawn by the lure of inexpensive play things that they could purchase for themselves. I, however, despise that aisle. All I could see was what lay ahead - broken toys, pieces that didn't quite go together correctly, and ultimately tears and disappointment. I try to avoid bringing my children to that tempting aisle of dismay.
And yet, how often do we choose the metaphorical dollar store toy? Our world is full of these tempting opportunities to satisfy ourselves with the quick thing that appears to bring pleasure and costs us the least amount of effort. But the truth is, things that last - things of value - are rarely the things that cost us little.
Think about it, Satan offered Jesus the world, literally. (Matthew 4:8-9) And in a sense, that is what Jesus came for. Accepting the offer meant He didn't have to face the cross and the excruciating pain it would entail. Not only physical pain, but the pain of separation from His Father as well. And it was Satan's to give. (2 Corinthians 4:4) But Jesus declines, choosing the hard path, the one that led to His ultimate victory, and ours. Jesus turned down the dollar store toy.
And like a good parent, God's desire is that we avoid those tempting, inexpensive choices as well. The choice to tell a little white lie rather than face the consequences of our actions. The choice to sacrifice time with our family in order to have a larger bank account than we truly need. The choice to turn a blind eye to our neighbor in need rather than give of ourselves to help him or her. The choice to sleep in on Sunday morning because we are tired rather than join with our brothers and sisters to worship our Creator. And so many more choices that appear to do little harm, that cost us (seemingly) nothing. That appear to do no harm, while bringing immediate pleasure or relief.
And like many dollar store toys, our choice is pleasurable...for a time. Inevitably, though, what we thought was going to be an inexpensive joy becomes a lackluster, disappointing or even painful experience. Trust that your Father knows what is best, (Jeremiah 29:11) listen to His counsel, (Psalm 32:8) and let Him lead. (Proverbs 3:5-6) I promise His reward is better than you can imagine!
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