Years ago, during a Lenten service at a church, I heard an evangelist from India share this annecdote. I never forgot it. I am creating it from the best of my memory, and may get some of the details wrong, I will trust that the original message is conveyed. I hope you enjoy…
Little Sammy loved two things more than life itself; chocolate and marbles. He loved playing marbles with his best friend, Jenna, who lived next door to him, and he knew she loved chocolate as well. Jenna and Sammy would often meet in their yards, and, on common ground, would pull out their prized collection of marbles and play with one another, passing the time together without a care in the world.
One day, Sammy came out of his hand with his bag of marbles in one hand, and a handful of chocolates in the other, which he quickly dumped into his right-hand, pants pocket. Jenna, always the adventurer, cheerfully greeted him with an offer, as she, too, quickly put her marbles into her pocket. “I’ll trade you my best marbles for all the chocolate in your pocket,” she said.
Sammy thought about it. He would love to have her best marbles, but he wasn’t so sure he was willing to give up all of his cocolate. As he contemplated, a devilish thought swam around his head – perhaps he would just give her some of the chocolate. After all, she didn’t really know how many pieces of chocolate were in his pocket.
“Ok,” he said, without hesitation. He reached into his pocket to pull out the chocolates, but as he did, he left a few pieces in his pocket and pulled out the rest. He willingly opened his hand for her to see he delectable candies, in their shiny, foil, wrap, and prepared to hand them over. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her best marbles and held them out for him to see.
He was excited to see the collection of marbles, especially since it contained some that he’d never seen anywhere else. He eagerly handed over the chocolate pieces, and she eagerly handed over the marbles. As he put the marbles into his pants pocket, he felt the remaining chocolate kisses, still in his pocket.
Suddenly, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach came over him.
“Jenna…. did you give me ALL the marbles?” he asked.
“What would make you think I didn’t?” Jenna asked.
you see… God wants to give us all the marbles.. but what he requires of is is that we give up all of ourselves in order that ALL of His best can be given to us. When we are able to give up all of ourselves, God is able to bless us with so much more than we could have ever imagined.
Have you given Him all the chocolate so that He can give you ALL of his blessings? Are you holding some back because you’re afraid to give them up, or afraid you’ll loose to much in the process?
Give Him your all, today. He’s waiting to give you His best.
Blessings,
SB
Journey For Life
Journey-For-Life 