One day when I was little, I decided to go through my mom's coin purse. Out of it, I pulled a shiny penny and a dull dime. When I asked my mom which one she would prefer, she said the dime since it's clearly worth more. I begged to differ. I wanted the penny because it looked better. I didn't care that it was worth less than the dime. Something about that shiny bronze penny beckoned me!

This is the same scenario that goes on in our hearts so many times. Here we are on Earth with the opportunity to pursue what the world says is good or enter into a relationship with our Lord and Savior, our Creator, our Messiah. God is offering us something so much greater than anything in this world could ever offer. We gives us the opportunity to enter into His kingdom as beloved sons and daughters of the King of all kings who seated upon his majestic throne. And yet, we choose that shiny penny that's worth so little. There's something about this Earth that grasps our attention and seizes our hearts. Instead of resisting and choosing something that's so much greater, we settle for less because it's superficially attractive.

There are so many things that I think I need. My credit card bill and firefox search log serve as a dynamic living testimony to this. Lately, I've spent a lot of time looking at JDM's because I think that I NEED a car to be satisfied. I tell myself that I NEED to get good grades because I NEED to get into pharmacy school since I NEED a secure job in the future. These things fade away and yet I choose them over spending time with my Lord. I've whored myself out to the things of this world. I've neglected what is eternally important and replaced it with some stupid shiny little penny.

There's a certain beauty behind it all. I'm not talking about the wrestling that goes on inside my heart. That's straight ugly. God's unchanging love is what continually humbles me. I've sold myself out, rebelled against God and his commands, and prayed for forgiveness and change just to rebel all over again. My sin and disobedience disqualify me from a deserving love and yet God still loves me whole heartedly.

Can you even begin to imagine what it was like for God to send His son to the cross and to witness Him get flogged, mocked, beaten, and murdered? I can't imagine witnessing anyone go through that let alone my very own son. All for love. All of us. All so that we could have the opportunity to one day join Him in heaven, reigning in victory over sin.

Whatever this world offers, it's not worth it. In God's eyes, status, money, and all those things that the world says is good mean absolutely nothing. In our pursuit of happiness, chasing all these grandiose things, we come up empty. Happiness apart from God doesn't last.

One day, that shiny penny faded and became dull and rusty and lost it's appeal. Suddenly, taking that penny didn't seem like such a good decision. It was completely worthless! It not only looked worse than the dime but it was worth less. From the start, that dime was always worth more. When presented with this in real life, what am I going to choose, Jesus or the world?

The prayer of my heart going into exam week is that I choose Jesus. No matter how hard or how stressful things become, I don't need to go all out studying to get an A. I don't need the A. That's just what my heart wants, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but that's a different issue. What I need is to spend time with my Savior and to meet with Him that I may continue to worship Him with my lifestyle.


Hillsong - All for Love

All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You (x2)

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You