Negotiating

The time of year just passed when we all went out and hit the stores looking for the gifts that our loved ones will truly cherish.  We looked through the store ads and went from store to store hunting for just that perfect item.  Some of us even went so far as to haggle on a price or features for the items that we were looking to purchase.  We might have gotten a free extended warranty or the price chopped off at this store because another store has it cheaper.

It’s all of those negotiations that has me thinking this week.  How often have you negotiated with God?  You know, you tell God that you are only going to sin this one last time, and because you did it you’ll then never do it again, or give to some cause.  Have you ever done that?  Maybe you skipped church today and instead will make sure to pray every day this week.  The next question is how often did you hold up the other end of that bargain you were trying to negotiate?

Today I just want to remind you that God doesn't want to negotiate.  He has set forth his terms way before you and I were born.  They are all listed in the Bible.  We can take them or leave them.  God wants each and every one of us to have a relationship with Him.  He is waiting for all of us with arms wide open.  God doesn’t say that you have to feed the hungry (although it’s a wonderful thing to do) before He will love you.  Instead, He just loves you.  God wants you to believe in Him and all that He is doing, and to be a part of it all.  So stop trying to make deals, just give yourself to God and enjoy a wonderful life with Him.