The Payoff

This afternoon we took our children to Chuck E. Cheese. It was as packed as you might expect on a dreary January Saturday afternoon. I couldn't help but be struck by how consumed my children were this time with the collection of tickets. They didn't even enjoy most of the games they were playing...they just wanted to find the machines that would produce the most tickets. K was actually in tears over who had more. She had her eyes on the big prizes--you know the ones that cost 10,000 tickets even though you could purchase them for $20 or less elsewhere?

As we were preparing to leave, we had to first spend 20 minutes standing in line at the counter where you exchange your tickets for the trinkets. Kids were pushing. The line was frustratingly slow. As we reached the promised land of the glass cabinet full of plastic things I could sense how underwhelmed my children were. This is it?

I couldn't help but shake my head at the commentary it was on how we live...often missing the joy of an adventure because we are consumed with the payoff. What a letdown to then reach the end and realize you were consumed with an end goal that was cheap, plastic and unfulfilling!

I also couldn't help but wonder how many well intentioned parents had spent $100 in tokens so their children could cash in for toys worth 1/5 of that. It caused me to think about the other types of well-intentioned trade offs we make in our lives.

This is the reason for the hope I have: My God compels me to look for love, joy and peace on the journey--with the knowledge that the 'big prize' has already been redeemed for me. I can be sure that when it is time to cash out of this life my lot is secure--and I will not be disappointed. I am running for a crown that will last.

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. I Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)

The trades He asks of me are in my favor: weariness for rest, condemnation for mercy, works for grace, weeping for joy, hopelessness for hope, fear for peace and death for life.