I was a bit frustrated last week when arriving home I discovered a “late payment” notice. I despise those. When I researched the issue, I discovered that the bank had credited an “early” payment I had sent (because Debbie and I were traveling for almost three weeks) to the principal instead of to the next month’s payment. The bank even charged me a late fee. Can you believe it?
I called the bank, got through the myriad of computer-generated questions, then answered the same questions with a live person. Their initial investigation confirmed that I had made the payment (13 days ahead of schedule), but they couldn’t guarantee that I would avoid the late charge. Then they said that someone would get back to me within 48 hours and walk through the situation. No one has called back—yet.
What we discover in life is that it’s easier to establish policy than it is to work with the people that the policies are designed to serve. Often the policy is written to favor the company rather than the customer, and you and I are only one misstep away from a collision. How different it is in the kingdom!
People before policy is God’s value. Ever inconvenienced, God continually practices what He preaches by responding to us with grace and mercy! The next time you feel constrained by the rules of life, call Him up. I guarantee you won’t have to give Him your social security number, password, date of birth or account number. I can even imagine Him saying, “Relax, your account has already been settled!”
“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)
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By: Glenn Burris Jr., general supervisor
