If you give a donkey a carrot...

Today, while taking a bathroom break from my busy life, I though to myself "What if, instead of dangling the "carrot" before the "donkey", one simply gave the donkey the carrot?  Perhaps the donkey would perform because he wants to, not because he is compelled to..."

Isn't that what Christ does for us--give us the carrot?  Christ died on the cross in order to give us the gift of eternal life!  He doesn't say, "Earn it first, and I may give it to you.", as in the case of the poor donkey who performs the task and still may not receive the reward.  

We have already been given the "carrot" of eternal life through faith in Christ.  Christ's sacrifice was in no way dependent upon our performance, and it is because of this precious, undeserved gift that I choose to serve Him with an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude.  

Often when dealing with others, we require performance before reward, and in many cases that is not only wise, but necessary.  But what would happen if every once in a while you surprised someone with grace---unmerited favor, unearned trust, unexpected blessing? 

I was recently given a rather substantial carrot, and what a game changer it was!  It transformed my attitude, and I went from performing a necessary task out of a sense of duty to serving with joyful gratitude.

Today, I was presented with the opportunity to bless someone--someone who, quite frankly, does not deserve it.  And that's what got me thinking, "What if I just gave the donkey the carrot..."

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