Monieca and I returned home last night after being on vacation and it felt good to sleep in our own bed.  This morning I checked on a few things and all was well.  Tomato plants were healthy and there were nice looking ripe tomatoes waiting to be picked.  Water in the pool was clear and ready for a fun weekend celebrating the 4th with our family.  The grass had been cut and the flowers had grown.  It was a nice morning….

Until I looked through the mail and saw all the bills.

I just spent the past several minutes at my lap top paying those bills.  No matter what happens in life, the bills just keep coming.  Month after month, they show up.

While that might sound discouraging, it’s actually a good thing because it also means that month after month I still have a house with electricity that is insured.  It means I’ve been able to keep the tank in my car filled with gas, my cell phone active, and access to WiFi available.  It means I was able to visit Lowes while Monieca visited other stores – like Talbots and Ann Taylor.  On and on I could go, but you get the point.

There is a price to be paid for the things we enjoy.  For example:

• A great marriage requires an investment of time, patience, forgiveness, growth, kindness and many other things
• Salvation required Jesus giving His life for us and forgiving ALL our sins
• A growing relationship with Jesus requires the investment of time for prayer, Bible reading, worship, service and more
• A growing church requires the investment of believers consistently attending, serving, giving, praying, inviting, witnessing and more

The really important things don’t take a vacation.  They need to be done day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.  Just like bills, they need to keep showing up.

I look forwarding to see you in worship Sunday.

Pastor Steve Hogg