Fellowship United Methodist Church

       Several years ago my husband and I attended a conference at Epworth by the Sea on St Simons Island.  During the free time one afternoon, there was an opportunity to take a cruise on the river to see the dolphins.  Well, I signed us up for this, paying money of course, for the opportunity to see one of God’s creatures.  My husband’s response was not exactly what I thought it would be…”you paid money for us to do what?”  His explanation was that this was something we could see for free.  Of course I had doubted that free was a possibility, and I wanted to see the dolphins. The cruise was enjoyable, we did see a few dolphins, but it was not what I had expected.  That evening after dinner, we drove to the beach to watch the sunset.  While standing gazing into the water, not far from shore was a pod of dolphins playing and swimming.  What I had paid for earlier in the day, God provided for free that evening.  Isn’t that just like God to do what I thought improbable?
        As I remember this experience, my thoughts turn to God and the gift of salvation through Jesus.  It seems that when it comes to God, we begin to doubt and wonder at the possibility of receiving this gift without cost. Why would God do this, or what is the catch? We have in our minds that this is not possible, and that we must do something to earn this gift…because we believe that nothing in life is free.  We are skeptical that God could love us because of what we have done…we are unlovable and unworthy.  We fail to understand that we are God’s creation and this gift is given to us out of love.  Yet, what we conceive as unrealistic is very real.  It is a gift simple as that.  All we need to do is accept it and live in the promise of salvation and a life spent in eternity with God.
       As we continue through Lent and draw closer to the cross at cavalry, let us begin to focus more upon the price that God paid to give us this gift.  In many instances, we don’t think of God paying for the gift of salvation. The pictures that we see of the crucifixion leave out the many details, but the pain and the blood were very real.   Would you be willing to give up one of your children to save another person?  Don’t think that I would be willing. That is exactly what God did.
Prayer:  Gracious and loving God, forgive me when I begin to doubt and question what you do.  Thank you for the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus.  Help me to not take your love and grace for granted, but acknowledge you in all that I do and say each day.  Help me to live for you and love others as you love me.  Amen