The Layaway Plan

We all remember the days when the “Layaway Plan” was the way to go.  If you could not afford an item today you simply made a down payment and the store would hold the item for a period of time with regular payments; usually every two weeks.  Once the bill was paid in full, then you could take the item with you.  If for some reason you failed to keep your end of the deal, then eventually the store would return the item to stock.  What a wonderful way to get the things we needed without having to fill our a credit application or pay finance charges.  Of course there was a small layaway fee because the store had to get something out of the deal.

How many of us today deal with life’s challenges through the “Layaway Plan?”  We keep pushing them aside rather than tackling them at the onset.  Instead we put the worry off and promise to come back and pick it up later.  No doubt we would love to have the problem solved right now, but we don’t have the time or the money to deal with it.  So we worry a little bit now and a little bit later.  We put it off as long as we can until the problem gets bigger or becomes harder to handle.  We tell God, “I definitely want this item Lord. (I want to keep this problem in my life.) I can’t afford it right now so just hold it for me.  Put it on the 90-day same as cash plan.  I’ll keep paying on it and come back to get it later.”  And God does just like the cashier; He takes the down payment, puts your name on the book and waits for your return visits.  With God, however, the scenario plays out a little differently.  Every time you go back, he reminds you that the item has already been paid for. (Challenge already taken care of) He doesn’t force you to make larger payments nor does He make the payment for you.  If you choose to keep coming back, then he allows you to do that.  He would love to see you take the item home and off His “to-do” list.  And just like the Layaway Plan, if your payments are not made on time, God will put the item back in stock.  The sad part is you will see that item every time you walk into that store.  The day you decide to discipline yourself and approach life on a pay-as-you-go basis, (trust God) you will be able to have what He promised you without a down payment.