Not Fair!

Kids say it all the time; "It's not fair!" Only most of the time it comes out as, "Ugh, no fair!" I hate that phrase. I hate the whine and the stamping of the foot that goes with it. But I found the phrase drifting in and out of my head this weekend. What people really mean when they say life isn't fair is that either "I didn't get what I think I deserve," or "someone else got something I want, too."


But I praise God that I don't get what I deserve. Sometimes I forget how ugly my sin is. This sin that has a cost, a penalty, a price. God paid the price for me with His son. In just a couple of weeks we will celebrate Christmas and praise God for sending His only son to be humbled as a human and to be crucified so that I can spend eternity with the Father. He offered me a gift I don't deserve. Something I cannot earn. It was given in grace. If I was given what I deserved, I would spend eternity separated from His love. Scripture says that "while we were still sinners," while we were still enemies of God, Christ died for us. Wow, was I really an enemy of God? My sin made me God's enemy. It was only by accepting the gift of life and hope that am not longer His enemy.

Jesus Christ had no sin and yet died an enemies/a criminals death. He died for my sins. Not very fair, was it?

For some reason Matthew 7:9-12 keeps popping up in my head; “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

But right behind that, Proverbs 19:21 rings loud and clear in my ears; "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."

Jeremiah 29:11-12; "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

God has a plan. He has a purpose. He has good gifts for me.