April 10th, 2020

Good day to all,
I pray these words find you all doing well and remembering God loves you.  One of the things that occurs as we get older is that we accumulate more stories. Not because we may be any wiser but simply because we have had more time to dip our toes in various life experiences. My experiences include working as a "lot boy" in a used car dealership. 

My job was to clean up cars for resale, doing minor vehicle maintenance, clean the rental trucks that came in (they also rented moving trucks) and taking care of an assortment of duties around the lot.  It was the perfect job to have while we raised support to go on the mission field because they were closed on Sundays and if I had to travel out of town, the owners would allow me to leave early on Saturday or be in late on Monday.  One of my favorite memories is of Pam bringing the boys over during lunch on Saturdays and we would have a sort of picnic on the lot. I also remember having  a conversation with one of the salesmen about minivans. Because of several short-term mission trips to Mexico where we used full sized Ford vans, I saw first hand how they took a beating and remain to this day a fan of the suspension on Ford full sized vans. My question to the salesman was: "The full sized Ford vans are better made, usually have less miles on them, and I know they will last a long time. Why is it that the minivans, which will not last as long and have more mileage or may even be older models, are sold for a higher price?" He simply looked at me and said, "Because people will pay more for them."

Over the years, I have watched shows where antiques are sold, art is priced, and an assortment of collections are appraised.  Sometimes my thoughts are "It would be great to be able to buy that" (normally in regards to some classic car). Other times my thoughts are, "Someone would have to be a mental midget to pay what the expert says that item is worth." The truth is that, like the minivans vs. full sized vans, it all comes down to what people will pay.

Most of us have at one time or another bought something that was a bargain and other times we realize we paid way to much for something. In short, what we pay may not accurately reflect the true value of something. It does reflect, how much we were willing to pay.

When it comes to us, this day above any other of the year, we are reminded of what God was willing to pay for our deliverance. Peter reminds us in 1Peter 1:18-19 [Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.]  Sometimes we look at others and forget the value God placed on them. Sometimes we look in the mirror and forget the value God placed on our lives.  

Be mindful, rejoice, and never forget that God, through His actions, has told us each and everyone one of us was valuable enough to Him to sacrifice HIs son. Remembering our value, we should strive to live in accordance with that value. Living lives that reflect the understanding of what it cost to grant us freedom from death, forgiveness of sin, and the security of a place in His kingdom.
Have a wonderful day,
​Vic