The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

It seems that nobody wants to pay the price for what they want. So, they accept substitutes. In something as simple as weight control, we don't want to pay the price. So, we take dream-a-way or we pay for suck-away. How about walking four miles three times a week? No way!

We want our children to be normal in temperament, exceptional in school, and all-American among our families. Since that takes personal involvement on our parts, long talks, and modeling that life-style, we taxi them from psychiatrists to expensive gymnastics to tutors - just hoping that we can afford this all-American child.

We want that promotion at work. But we are unwilling to work for it. When the clock says 5 p.m., we're the first out the door regardless that the assigned project for that is yet unfinished. We want recognition for showing up and getting paid for every minute we work. Where did that animal come from? What happened to “above and beyond” the stated office hours?

It's the same old story among us Christians. We want all the perks: blessings on each family member, health through the flu season, God's biggest smile when we show up for church, and to be able to sleep like a baby. But we don't want to pay the price.

The very first Psalm says it all: the blessed person spends time in the Word of God and even more, the blessed person meditates on the Word of God day and night. Yes, we want to be planted by the waters of prosperity; we want the Midas touch. But, we are unwilling to pay the price of spending time with God and His Word.

Why should we think that God desires to play the fool. He sets a price. We don't pay it. But we expect to take it home. You may say, “Why does he get to set the price?” Fool, he owns the store. He owns the chain. He owns the property. He owns the country. He owns the planet. He owns the universe. He owns everything lock, stock, and barrel.

The blessings of God have a price tag. A balanced, happy family has a price tag. A successful career has a price tag. I think we have heard too many sermons on God's grace and givingness and not enough sermons on God's justice, judgement, and demands.

Many churches throughout the United States are praying for a new movement of God's power and Spirit. It's called revival. Revival, however, has a cost, a price tag. Next week, I want to get into the price of revival. Think about it!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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