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"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - John 10:10
When I was about twelve years old my dad took a friend and I to the carnival.
We purchased an armband and entered the gates. We were awestruck at all of the blinking lights, the throng of people, the voices disappearing into the night air, and, most of all, the numerous rides.
We heard the shrieks of joy from those who were riding on the various rides
in the carnival that night. Their faces were lit up much like the bright lights
and you could see grins so wide that it seemed their faces would split open from their excitement.
As I watched them, I could imagine the feeling of lightness in their stomachs
as they were rocked to and fro. I could almost feel the breath being suddenly thrust out of their lungs as they lurched from side to side. It looked like so much fun!
We walked on. Everyone that we approached seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly. Each ride that we came to looked more exciting than the previous one.
The people aboard seemed to be having the time of their lives.
The whole scene looked so inviting!
And, yet, we had no money. My dad had paid for the armbands and told us we were on our own. Without any money, we were left to watch everyone else enjoy themselves. The more we saw everyone else having a great time, the more we wished we were able to purchase tickets in order that we might ride the rides.
We were standing around, miserable, wishing my father would come and get us out of that place, when we heard him say to us, "Hey, you two. What are you doing?"
"We are just watching these people on the rides," I replied.
"Why aren't you riding any of them," my father asked.
"We don't have any money to buy tickets," I continued.
"Son, don't you know that the rides are included in the price that I already
paid. Your armband gets you access to all of the rides."
We were stunned. We had no idea that we could have been enjoying the carnival to its fullest extent by just taking advantage of what my father had given us.
Sadly, there are many Christians just like my friend and I at the carnival.
They walk around miserable, seeing others at peace, seeing others filled with
joy, seeing others content and free. They are miserable as they watch others
full of assurance and victory and blessing. Oh, it all looks so inviting, but
they just don't see how they can pay for it. They stand around wishing thier
Father would come and get them out of this place.
And, then, maybe, they hear His voice. "What are you doing?" He calls.
"Watching these people enjoy themselves," they reply.
"Why aren't you enjoying yourself?" the Father asks.
"We can't afford the tickets," they continue.
"Son, daughter," God calls. "Don't you know that they are included in the price that I already paid? Jesus did more than just save you, He gave you a life of blessing. He did more than just reserve you a place in Heaven, He gave you a wonderful, anointed life here on earth. Don't you know that it's included in the price He paid?"
Many Christians walk around with a brightly colored spiritual armband on, never realizing that it gives them access to all of the blessings that Jesus Christ offers.
They're at the carnival...but they're not riding any rides.
Friend, Jesus died to give you life...abundant life. He promises you peace,
joy, contentment, assurance, victory and confidence.
Don't be satisfied to simply wear your armband...get on the ride!
Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown