As far back as human history goes, humans have traded one thing for another. Hunting for food and water could be difficult, and even treacherous, or deadly. But without the hard work necessary for life, no one would have survived.

Nothing has really changed. We trade our hard work for a pay check and then take our pay check and spend it on whatever we deem necessary. Most believe that this “trade-off” is sufficiently fair, but what about all the other trade-off’s we make in our lives? How do they shape our lives and the world around us?

Most trade-off’s are built on money, but there are some that are far more important than money alone, and require carefully plotting a pathway full of truth not ‘emotional treason’!

There are untold numbers of things that stand in the way of a emotional relationship with our Creator, all of them, “trade-off’s”. For most of us, we have a pattern of habits. We roll out of bed and go about our daily routine, not giving a great deal of thought regarding habits we are about to follow.

Even though our lives revolve around these habits, how many of us use these habits in the service of the Almighty God? In what ways do our lives reflect the desires of God, verses our own? Are we thinking of our God as we brush our teeth and put on our clothing, or are we only thinking of our next worldly accomplishments.

Like flies caught in the web of deceit, we find ourselves twisted around in a revolving door, unable to break free of the oppression of our own making. One day after another escape us and before long these days have turned into years with only one end in sight. As we look back at the footprints we have made, we wonder why we can’t see any remnants of God’s. Where is the evidence of our walk with him? And what is our Christian life with Jesus meant to look like?

The answers to those questions can be found through the words of Jesus. Just remember; the Bible is meant to speak to all who are alive, not just those who believe themselves to be church leaders. There is only one church leader ——— Jesus!

Mark 8:34-35 says this; Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen.” If any of you wants to be my follower”, he told them, “you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, will ever know what it means to really live”.

So then; are these words from Jesus just suggestions offering us just one of many ways to really have life? It seems to suggest to me that there is only one way, one truth and one life; or have I missed something? So; what is it again that Jesus asks of us? It is the ultimate trade-off, his life for ours, and our life for his.

How many people understand what that means, or even want to? People love their lives. Their life is all that matters. Their life and anything that brings them satisfaction. Their success in life is only based on what ‘they’ conclude is good or bad, not what God has declared.

Jesus traded his life so that you could have a chance at eternity, not to build yourself a kingdom of your own! You have no life of your own! It belongs to Jesus, and freedom? What does that really mean? Free to do what exactly? It’s God’s way or the highway to hell! And you had better start ‘packin’ your bags. And what exactly are you going to bring with you? Money? Your car? Your home? Your clothing? Food? Water? Or even your flesh for that matter.

What are you thinking? You must trade ‘everything’ for your life with Christ. You should not own anything, and even if you do, it is not yours to brag about anyway, it is our Lord’s. Don’t you get it yet? What makes you believe that anything God created is yours? The stone to make concrete; the wood to build your home, the water you must drink, and the life you must take to feed yourself, all were made by the hand of God, not you! It all belongs to him, and you are just a common thief!

That’s right, God made everything for us to use, ‘but not to own’! If I loan you a car for life, it still belongs to me, and if I wish, I can take it back anytime I want; right? God will never allow you to claim ownership of what is his. Just referring to things as yours or mine is an irritant to God. God hears you say things like; “look at what ‘I have done”! Look at my, ‘this or that’, but you have done nothing, and cannot do, ‘anything’ God does not allow.

We treat God like a used car, or a old house. We just sell them cheap, just to get them out of the way. We just must have a new and better, ‘everything’, including God! So we discount what the Bible really says and make up our own scripture to take its place. Then we think up a new and improved God, who does not offend our sensibility’s or misguided ideas of right and wrong!

We have ‘traded off’ our God for a new one who over-looks sin and lies, and we have committed treason against the only thing in life that is the ultimate reality; God! Also, God is the ‘only’ reality, and we are no more than a seed, or an egg, waiting to be hatched into a life that does not exist yet. A tiny tree with no roots and little chance of survival.

From God’s point of view, we are still a huge question mark. An unsolved equation, and a incomplete composition. God is the potter and we are the clay that refuses to hold its shape. We fight against the Creator who made us, and fight to be what we want to be, instead of becoming the loyal and obedient child of God that he demands.

Who are we really? We all know the truth, we just won’t admit it. We are simply a bunch of evil children who have ran away from home because we hate our father. We then spend the rest of our lives attempting to prove that everything he has told us is wrong.

In the end, we will see the truth, but sadly it will be too late. The truth can set you free, but only if you find a place in your heart for the perfect truth. We have all heard it said; “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God”.

So; help me God to recognize it when I see it!

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