Inspiration

Everything we have in life happens by means of exchange. You exchange your time and talents for a paycheck. You exchange your paycheck for the things you need. Even a gift you might receive went through a process of exchange by someone at some point before it got to you. But by far, the greatest exchange of all time was over two thousand years ago when God exchanged our sin and brokenness for His righteousness. There's an old saying: "I had a debt I could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe."

Philippians 2 talks about how as believers, we have to work out our salvation. Salvation isn't a one-time event; it's a process. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you begin that process. All throughout our walk of faith, we continually exchange ourselves, our attitudes, our ways, and our ideas for more of Him and His attitudes in our lives. We must never think we have "arrived" but instead, we must always be willing to exchange what we have in our hand for what He has in His hand for us.

The beautiful thing about God's barter system is that we always end up with better than what we had before. We get to exchange our ashes for His beauty. We exchange our sorrow for His joy. We exchange our sin for His righteousness. We exchange our brokenness for His healing. 

Today as you read this, is there something you are holding on to that you know isn't God's best? Why don't you release it to God by faith? If you'll let go of what's in your hand, a shift will take place. God will let go of what's in His hand for you—peace, strength, wisdom, favor and more! He'll give you exactly what you need. Don't settle where you are when God has so much more for you. Remember, He's taking you on a wonderful journey of faith. Open your hand and heart to all that He has in store for you today!