Is Worth the Price?

Jim missed the circus last year because he didn't have enough money. And so he saved all winter in order not to be caught short the next time it came. But before the circus came to town he saw a ball glove he wanted. Because it cost just what he had saved up for the circus, he had a tough decision to make. Which did he want more?

Now Jim isn't the only person who has to make tough decisions. We all do all the time. We have to weigh one thing against the other. Which one do we really want? Is it worth the price?

To play on the baseball team we have to give up going on trips with our family on summer evenings. Practices are called for the time we had planned to go swimming or on a picnic. We have to be there with the team, or someone else will get our position.

The football player stays after school and practices until dark, night after night. He gives up ice cream, pie, cake, cokes, and milkshakes to keep in condition. He wants to be in shape to play his best. The doctor, lawyer, airlines pilot, career woman, or businessman must spend years of patient study to learn the necessary skills. All have to stop and figure the cost.

Being a Christian can really be fun and bring us a lot of satisfaction. But we have to train for the Christian life, too. We don't have to give up sweets and good food, but we do have to drop selfishness, boasting about what we can do and what we have, saying mean things to or about people, and being jealous and getting angry. The reward? The joy of having people like us, and of feeling right with God. It is certainly worth the price.

Thank you, God, for the chance to be a Christian.