Downpayments

For the last few months, there have been a few pieces of furniture that we've realized we are in great need of.  2 being pieces for the boys' room:  as Benjamin will occupy the crib, Sawyer will need a toddler bed.  So we finally made plans this past week to visit our favorite furniture store or should I say warehouse, Adbhuta, to place a few orders on items to be made.  Pawan is always honest with us and, when asked the price, he always responds, "The price is ____, but for you Ma'am, it will be ____".  They refer to me as the American lady who speaks Hindi and has baby!  We got a great price for the things we needed, JP placed a downpayment on the order, and Pawan said he would give us a call in about 10-12 days.

Downpayment.  One of the main topics in my time with the Lord today in 2 Corinthians 6.  We, who have chosen to follow the Lord Jesus and confess Him to be the plan for making our way back to the Most High through forgiveness, have been given the Holy Spirit.  Today, adding to my understanding that the Spirit is our comforter in life, I learned that it is also a downpayment.  We are given the Holy Spirit as a downpayment for the future.

A downpayment.  Like most heavenly concepts put into human terms, this illustration also breaks down.  However, it took my understanding to a meaningful, practical level.  We made our downpayment on the furniture as a way of saying: we searched, we desired, we want this, it's ours, begin the work, take the appropriate time needed to complete it, and when it is perfected, delivered it straight to us, into our hands, to our home where we are waiting; assuring us that no one else gets it-it comes right to us with no other stops along the way.  That is, of course, as long as we pay the rest of the amount right?  A downpayment.  He created, He looks to and fro, He desires, He wants relationship with us, (once we choose) we are His, He continues the work, taking the appropriate time needed to complete His will, and when all is perfected and our time is done, we are delivered straight to Him, into His hands, to His home where He is waiting; we are assured that no one else gets us-we go straight to Him with no other stops along the way.  And the best part?  I owed a debt I could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe!!  The total price has already been paid through Christ.         

Image from Scotland Aid Agency.