The Popsicle Promise

 

Life in the small West Texas town where I lived as a child seemed simple. Kids could play outside until fireflies were the only light source. Church bells rang on Sunday, reminding people that this was the Lord's Day, and the school cafeteria served "real fried chicken" and chocolate pie. Business deals were made with a handshake, and on those long, hot afternoons, just about anything could be solved with a popsicle. 

Dad's job as an oilfield worker had drawn us to this small community of about eight hundred people. My mother worked several days a week at Spencer and Maude's Shurfine Foods while I went to school. I always loved going to the grocery store with my mother to shop or visiting her on the way home from school because she always bought me a popsicle. I also liked Spencer. He was an elderly man-tall, thin, and very spunky. He loved to play tricks on me when I saw him. Often, he forgot the tricks he's already used and tried them again. I just went along with them so as not to spoil his fun. 

One particular day as I was walking home from school, I decided to stop in and ask my mother for a popsicle to eat on the way home. When I entered the store, I remembered that she was not there that day. I sure did want one, so I began to quickly think of how I could get it. I didn't have any lunch money left. Hmm. Then I spotted a display on the checkout counter. It was a selection of counter checks that the local bank had left for its customers to use for purchases. I had seen my mother use the checks over and over, so I thought to myself, why not? With the decision made, I executed my plan. Confidently, I walked over to the freezer and selected an orange one - my favorite, I walked to the checkout, placed my purchase on the counter, and waited for Spencer to tell me the price. 

"That will be twenty-five cents, please," he said.

At this, I reached for a check from the display and proceeded to fill it out for my purchase. How I would love to have a copy of that check today! I have no idea what I wrote on it, but apparently it amused him so much that he didn't even ask questions. I handed my insufficient funds to him, he thanked me for my business, and I left the store-popsicle in hand. I laugh every time I think about this moment in my childhood. However, there is some truth to be discovered in this comical incident. 

The Bible says we have all inherited a sinful nature and have an "insufficient funds payment "stamped on us. It is in no way appealing to know that no matter how much wealth, success, fame or beauty we attain, we can never achieve enough to be acceptable to God or to repay Him for what He has done for us. Some might be tempted to think only the immoral people in our world, those who are blatant and public with their sins, need salvation. The Bible clearly states that this is just not true. Sin is a part of everyone's human nature, and sadly, we have nothing to offer to remove it ourselves. 

Just like I exchanged the worthless check for my treat, we can exchange our old lives for new ones. I am sure someone in the store that day put a quarter in the cash register to cover my debt. Most likely it was Spencer. That is exactly what Christ did. HE paid the sin debt for the entire world by giving his life on the cross and rising again to defeat death and offer every single person eternal life. 

I encourage you to recall your own commitment to Christ. Have you received his gift of salvation? Or think of someone who could receive the spiritual check with his or her name written after the "Pay to the Order of" with forgiven" written on the "Memo" line and Jesus's signature at the bottom. It was written to each of us personally thousands of years ago and it is just waiting to be redeemed.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 6:23

But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 2:23

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

For "everyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 10:13

Photo Credit: Open Clipart

Bell, Stacia L. When the Menu Is Manna Encounters with God in Everyday Living. First Edition ed., vol. 1 2, Create Space, 2016.