Earning the Turn

We love talent shows. The raw judgment and approval of those with just the right stuff to be worthy. We even take some pleasure from witnessing train wrecks of performers, who clearly don't make the cut. It is a fascination in the least and it hints at our own attempts to be desired.

One such show is the Voice on NBC. Those attempting to make the show sing to the backs of judges so that only the voice is being judged (judging the looks and persona comes later). And as the contestants belt out their best renditions they just hope for one or more of the judges to turn their chair around and claim the singer as their own. They are trying their best to earn the turn.

We might like shows like this one because honestly it is how we live. Every day we are trying to impress and prove our value to others and ultimately to God, who we just know is waiting for us to do something big.

But the good news of Jesus and faith in him is that you don't earn the turn, instead it has been earned for you. You make the team because the judge sang in your place and shares his spot with you. No standard to live up to, no striving to prove you are worthy, no one-upmanship because you are secure in Christ. Enter freedom, adventure and living fully known and fully approved of.

The Bible says it goes down like this, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13.

Those that believe in Jesus are given a place in the family as children of God, and it was not because of their talent, their potential, their bloodline, or there discipline, but solely because of God. Jesus earned the turn. In him you are chosen, claimed and there is no fear of being dropped from the team. His calling is permanent and now you get to sing.

You get to sing with all of who you are, you get to live and flourish in your talents, not to earn but because you have been made his.

So today, less earning and more turning to the One that secured it all in our place.