The Trade-off

It’s pouring down rain and I have a wet seat.   I drive a little Miata convertible with a leaky top.  From what I hear, it’s not that unusual.  Anybody that has had a convertible for long knows that sooner or later, it will leak.  For me, it leaks sooner AND later. 

Sometimes the leaky top really frustrates me, but over the years I’ve learned to live with it.  I keep extra towels in my car and try to park in spots that lean the right direction so as to run the water in the least leaky fashion.  It’s all part of the trade-off.  A convertible top is just not ideal for a rainy day . . . but oh when the sun is shining on a beautiful spring day . . .  For me, it’s worth the trade-off.

Life is full of trade-offs.   Getting wet in the rain versus feeling the sunshine on a spring day.  More work hours may equal less family time.  A higher paying job may equal more stress.  Bigger house, smaller house, cars, toys, fame, responsibility, donations of time and money, everything has trade-offs.  I think one of the keys to contentment in life is knowing what to trade, and being happy with the trade-offs you make.

Jesus was the master of trade-offs.  Satan offered him some bad trades. 
“Turn the rocks into bread and you won’t be hungry,” he said.  “Worship me and I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world,” he offered. 
Jesus said, “No thanks.”  He had a better trade in mind. 

It happened on a cloudy day over 2000 years ago.  As the sky grew dark, they nailed Jesus to a cross and a trade-off took place.  Many would have thought he got a bad deal.  But He saw the future as well as the past.  He saw me and all of us who call Him Lord and Master.  He saw a world He loved and decided it was worth the trade.  He looked through the eons of time, saw me driving my little Miata while talking with Him on a sunny spring day, and traded His life for mine with no reservations.  I’m so glad He did.  It was the grandest trade-off that will ever be made.  And it’s enough to make me sing His praise, even when it’s pouring down rain outside.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son . . .