(Psalm 49 v 7 - 9 )
A while ago, my wife gently encouraged me that to go shopping.
To IKEA.
My reaction, in truth, was far from "godly" as this particular store somehow "pressed some buttons".
I repented, of course.
And so it was that I found myself inside a Giant Blue Steel Box,
Being guided by arrows to walk through the whole store
Being distracted by thousands of things I didn't want.
Later, I learned there were short cuts.
(Clever, these marketing people).
We made our modest purchase
And left.
Somewhere in this process I found that I had joined.
A family.
An email told me so - "welcome to the IKEA family" it said.
Which got me thinking, rightly or not
That I got in because I there was a transaction
Which touched my wallet.
Now, apart from rather neutral feelings towards this organisation
(I have not yet moved to warm feelings of love but I am getting there)
I could not say that I felt part of a family, especially as it had appeared to have cost me something to get in.
Which made me think it isn't that way with God
Because by grace
I am in this family at the cost of His precious son.
Free at the point delivery
And how could I ever pay him back?
The cost of the transaction is beyond my understanding.