I have a little confession to make.
I have a habit of going to the dealership to get my oil changed… and somehow leaving with a new car.
It has happened more than once. Apparently, I’m a very good candidate for “just looking.” (My insurance guy who is reading this is rolling his eyes.)
That’s exactly what happened last week. I took my car in for routine service, thinking it would be quick and simple. But my warranty had just expired, and when they told me how much the needed service would cost, I was stunned. What used to be covered suddenly wasn’t. What once cost me nothing now came with a hefty price tag.
Isn’t it funny how warranties work that way? They’re wonderful, until they run out.
Standing there listening to the service advisor explain the costs, I couldn’t help but think about how different God’s promises are from the warranties we deal with in everyday life.
God’s warranty never expires.
It doesn’t run out after a certain number of years or miles. It doesn’t suddenly stop covering us when life gets complicated or when we’ve worn ourselves down. His grace, His forgiveness, His love, none of it has an expiration date.
And unlike the warranties we buy for our cars, God’s coverage comes at no cost to us.
But that doesn’t mean it was free.
It cost Him everything.
The forgiveness we receive, the grace that covers our mistakes, and the promise of eternal life were purchased at a tremendous price through Jesus. What we receive freely came at a sacrifice we could never repay.
Sometimes we move through life taking that for granted. We assume God’s grace will always be there, and thankfully, it is. But when we stop and think about what it cost Him, it changes the way we see that gift.
It makes us grateful.
So the next time something in life reminds you that warranties run out, whether it’s a car repair, an appliance breakdown, or an unexpected bill, remember this: God’s promise to you doesn’t come with an expiration date.
His grace is still good. His love still covers you.
And His warranty never runs out.
Shine, Shine, Shine