Have you ever had a limited-time, free subscription to anything? Sure you have, but you’ve probably forgotten all about it. Yes, this is your reminder to cancel because that automatic debit is no joke when you’re not expecting it!
Of course, it’s happened to me, most recently with an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. I’d purchased an Echo Dot and it came with a free 3-month trial. The gag is that in order to get access to the trial, I had to sign up using my debit card and if I forgot to cancel, they’d charge me. Well, guess who absolutely did not remember to cancel that subscription… uh huh, me. I got a notification that Amazon had processed payment of $7.99 and my monthly subscription had been renewed until I logged onto my account and canceled.
On the other side of the coin, I have a monthly subscription for Microsoft Office that I need and gladly fork over the seven dollars and such and such cents a month to keep. Once, I’d gotten a new debit card and didn’t think to update my payment options and my subscription expired. That was something that I could not afford to have happened, so I quickly rectified the situation by putting a new debit card number on file.
Our Free Subscription to Salvation Needs Renewing, Too.
Today, my story is simply about renewal. See, Christ paid for us to have an unlimited subscription to salvation and life with Him. The only thing is that sometimes we need to renew that subscription. There will be times when you may feel you want to let go of that subscription, but this is an auto-renewal that you don’t want to expire.
I have experienced times of complacency and didn’t have the desire to read my Word and it seemed as if prayer wasn’t doing the trick. Well, those are the times that I need Him most. When He seems furthest from me, that is when I need to be renewed.
Now, because this is spiritual, a new debit or credit card isn’t necessary, but recommitting to God is. We must intentionally spend time in His presence, even if it starts out feeling forced. We must read His Word, even if we’ve got to begin with a “feel good” scripture. It is a choice to be renewed daily.
Our PlayBook says in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” And like that music trial, well, there are some subscriptions that we need to unsubscribe from or let expire. Some friendships, jobs, stressors, animosity, offense – let them all go and delete your “payment” information.
So, What’s the Play Call?
With all the factors and “new card” changes that occur, we must commit to being renewed constantly so that complacency does not overtake us. Here are some terms and conditions to help you when you are deciding whether or not to “renew your subscription”:
- Asking God to renew you is necessary. Just as with an online subscription, having your card on file gives permission; put your “yes” on file with God. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
- Wait for God to do it. No, it’s not a “once a month” renewal like Netflix, but His timing is everything, and if you allow Him, God will give you the strength to endure the wait. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
- God is able to restore. Just like I was able to restore my canceled Microsoft Office subscription, God can do that very thing with an interrupted connection with Him. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalms 51:12
- All you need to do is agree. Salvation comes by no means of our own but is given freely by God, who desperately loves us. All He asks is that we agree to His terms and conditions that are spelled out for us in His Word. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
Go ahead and accept this free offer. Unlike my free music subscription trial, God’s love for us will never expire.
