Reviewing the story of my childhood, you would have quickly predicted, speculated that my career as an entrepreneur would not show any profit or success. Yes, if you looked at my performance on my first job, you would promptly extinguish any early thought of ever nominating me as “The Businessperson of the Year.”
My first job was a paperboy. Three figures had a negative impact on my performance. Oh, I paid what was due at the end of every week, but I never really made enough money to be called a successful newspaper carrier. But these three major characters, Oscar, Dynamite, and Jet lived in houses where I would toss their paper on their porch with great accuracy, but I never went to collect. Because of these three figures, the persons at these houses got their newspapers at no charge. Week after week, they got their papers for free.
Oscar, Dynamite, and Jet were intimidating, instilled fear, and interfered with my ability to collect for the newspaper deliveries. Oscar was the tallest and considered the biggest threat. Right after him, in ranking, was Dynamite, seeming trained to attack anyone who came near his house. Jet was the fastest and would chase you as far as a block away from his house. What did these three have in common, these figures that caused me not to collect and basically present the people who lived in their houses a free gift? Well, they were all dogs! Real canines!
However, there were three more figures in my childhood years where “free” came into the picture. However, unlike the threatening trio of Oscar, Dynamite, and Jet, they were not scary, but rather they were sacred. They were not a threat to one’s safety, but they would help anyone, and everyone be safe. These three more figures also made a free gift possible, but this three did it in the most positive way. By now you know the three more figures by name, all members of the Godhead: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Not only in the past did they help people get a free gift, but they are still doing so today. The Father sent His Son and He never retracted His promise of eternal life to whosoever would believe on Him. The Son gave His life for us on an old rugged cross, paying the price for our sins. He is still instrumental in the lives of those who put aside any fear, fear of changing, fear of having to lay aside things the old nature prefers. People can come to Him with no fear. Then there is the Holy Spirit. He will help you get to the point of salvation, free from the penalty of sin, and He will continue to dwell in you and keep you from the power of sin, and even circumvent, avoid the places where the presence of sin exist in this life. Thank God for these three more figures and their role in the salvation of believers, not just in certain neighborhood or vicinities, but all around the world.
May this story, somewhat on the light side initially, but on the leading to Light of the World side eventually; may this story keep you God-conscious and Christ-centered as you rejoice and continue your climb this Tuesday morning. Have a great and safe day! Let the closing verses, spoken by the Son, comfort you! Be blessed!
“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.” (John 14:26-27 The Message Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King