A well known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”
Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple up the $20 bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”
Still the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?”
He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
“Now who wants it?” he asked.
Hands went into the air.
“My friends, with this demonstration, we have learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It is still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. Nevertheless, no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you.”
It matters not what kind of life we have led or sins we have committed. God will accept us into His kingdom, if we truly believe, repent and obey His commands. God values our souls no matter how “crumpled” we may be. Sins are forgiven in the waters of baptism.
Central Church of Christ
Paducah, KY