It’s On The Card

It’s on the Card

Since Christmas I have been carrying in my wallet three Starbucks gift cards, gratefully received from friends who clearly appreciate my love of coffee at almost any hour of the day or night. I have no idea how many collective lattes or cups of decaf the cards contain, but knowing they are there, tucked away in advance of my next coffee run, is oddly satisfying.

Last week while I was on a trip, my hotel was steps from a Starbucks. As I passed by it, I remembered my gift cards and stopped in on impulse. I ordered a tall, nonfat latte and handed over one of the cards to the barista.

I experience a tiny jolt of joy each time I order a “free” coffee. I simply enjoy what has been secured in advance for me. And I think, I can’t believe I didn’t have to pay for that!

Day by day, I continue to receive more grace than I could ever afford. There’s no way I could hope to cover my own shortcomings, but someone else has. Hurtful words spoken in haste? Paid for. Wanting something that belongs to another? Paid for. Pride? Laziness? Envy? “On the card.” The blood of Jesus Christ is always enough. Always.

At Starbucks these days, I’m feeling a little giddy at my good fortune (and my good friends). My cards are gifts that keep on giving, and I am enjoying the satisfaction each cup of coffee brings. Sin, on the other hand, is never so enjoyable beyond its initial buzz. Regret and remorse quickly kick in, and on my best days repentance is not far behind. When I confess and apply the ancient payment, I am grateful all over again for the goodness of the one who knew just what I would need and when. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. I can’t believe it’s paid for.

Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done. . . . Once sins are taken care of for good, there’s no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.

Hebrews 10:12-14, 18, MSG