Crane and Claw

Have you seen those arcade vending machines that have a claw to grab a stuffed animal or toy or candy when you move the crane in just the right direction? My kids love those, primarily because I'm pretty good at grabbing stuff. Anytime we go to an arcade or pass through a store that has those machines, the kids are sure to stick quarters into my hand so I can try to win a prize.

They jump for joy the moment those claws are working properly, are lined up in just the right spot, and descend to grasp that object with just the right amount of pressure to lift up and allow the item to be dumped into the retrieval bin.

Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Sometimes the machine isn't working right and the claw doesn't drop. Or the stuffed animal is tucked into a corner that the crane cannot reach. When that happens the kids get a solemn look of disappointment on their faces.

Thankfully, we don't have to make futile attempts to capture Jesus like a crane and claw machine. Once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we have Him for life. We don't have to be disappointed with failed efforts. He will always be our prize.

Let Jesus be your Grand Prize. You, too, will be jumping for joy.