“Paying the Bill”

I’ve been working hard this summer to eat healthy meals, not snack in the evenings, and work out consistently.  I’ve been relentless. I’ve been disciplined.  I’m finally starting to see some results. I’m 43, so it’s not exactly like that’s going to give me the physique of an Olympic athlete, but I am also no longer forced to wear sweatpants with a button up shirt because none of my jeans will fit.

Monday night I found myself in Cracker Barrel with my visiting parents and family at 9pm, downing biscuits and butter like a guy who just got rescued off a desert Island.  I blew it.

This morning, after my biscuit and sawmill gravy high has dulled.  (It takes 24 hours).  I’m thinking about the price of my Cracker Barrel binge.  How many hours of painful work-outs will it take to make up for a few minutes of biscuit-fueled binging?  How many nights of spinach salad instead of pie?   How many Crunches instead of Crunch Bars?

It always seems to take so much longer to work off the calories than it takes to eat the meal.  It takes so much longer to pay the bill than it does to make the purchase.

One impulsive decision can lead years of living with a ruined reputation.  One impulsive purchase can lead to years of painful payments and missed opportunities.  One late night mistake can cost a marriage and family…or a job and career. One drink can end years of sober living.   Paying the bill is always so much more difficult than making the purchase.

That brings me to what I am truly thankful for this morning.  I am thankful that Jesus offered to “pay the bill” when it comes to my sin.  I may be able to eventually work off a night at cracker barrel…but the exponential nature of the cost of sin makes it impossible to ever make up for the mistakes I’ve made in the past, even if I could work at  “paying the bill” for the rest of my life.  (And NEVER sin again…)  It’s impossible.

That’s why I love to tell people about Jesus…the one who “pays the bill”.  Now if I could just stop thinking about chicken fried steak…

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45

 

 

2 thoughts on ““Paying the Bill”

  1. This post is so full of calories and truth. Just call me “Fatty”! I’ve been guilty and grateful too. Thank you for this post.

    • It’s a journey. We may not be the “shape” (spiritually or Physically) we want to be…but thank God we are no longer who we used to be. :-)