Start the Partyគំរូ

When I was five years old, I was in a convenience store with my mom. While she was checking out, I played with a measuring tape that I had found sitting on the counter for only $1. I was filled with such joy while I was playing with it. My mom eventually finished checking out, and we left the store. I was still holding my “new toy” when we walked out. We were halfway home when I realized my mom did not pay for it. I thought I had accidentally stolen it! Of course, my five-year-old self began crying, but my mom reassured me that everything was fine because she had actually paid for it when I wasn’t paying attention!

While this seems like a funny story to tell now that I am older, there is a deeper truth that can be found. My focus shifted away from my mom in the store. I didn’t notice that she paid for the toy or that she was even finished checking out. However, my mom never forgot about me, even when my attention was elsewhere. The love that Jesus provides is the same. There are moments in life when our eyes shift away from Jesus. Moments when other things take our focus away and eventually steal our happiness.

I had no way of paying for the measuring tape that day, just like I cannot pay the price of my sins or mistakes now. My five-year-old self did not know then that the toy I thought I had stolen was already paid for. My mom had paid for it when she was checking out. My mom had intentionally paid for my toy in the same way Jesus intentionally paid for our sins on the cross. I did not ask my mom to pay for the tape measure, just like I did not ask Jesus to die for my sins. He did it anyway because of how much He loves me and wants me to experience the full life that He offers each of us.

Is anything taking your focus off of Jesus right now? Take one minute and write down what is distracting you. When you feel yourself getting distracted by the things you’ve written down, remind yourself to keep your eyes on Jesus to experience the full life He offers us every single day.

Written by Kallie, age 21, from Gate City, Virginia, USA