My poor Aunt Bertha couldn’t give up an addiction that possibly led to her demise. Drugs? No. Heavy drinker? No. Chain smoker? No. High roller gambler? No. Then what? Pickles! Pickles? Yes, those sodium-filled munchy and crunchy delectables.

She saw her doctor for high blood pressure. He identified that her sodium level was off the charts. She owned up to its cause: pickles! Big, juicy, salty yummies. And lots of them. Day in and day out, without fail.

After too many visits for the same issue, with no improvement noted, her doctor concluded that she wouldn’t knock the habit. She said she’d stopped buying pickles but admitted paying a neighbor to purchase and deliver them to her, like a smuggler with stolen property. Failing to heed the medico’s advice, her doctor fired her. ‘Get a different one. I have others who actually benefit from my expertise and follow my directions! You’re fired!’

It makes me wonder if Jesus might get fed up with me, my lackadaisical attitude toward obeying Him, my frivolous actions when seriousness is required (can you imagine?!), thumbing my nose at Him (not actually but in effect), so that He thinks it’s time to toss me aside. Give me the old heave-ho. I’ve given Him ample reasons to do just that. I’m fired?

Will He? Now, let me make it clear that if I’m trying to get away with being heaven-bound while living like the devil, confessing on Sunday morning while being like Satan the rest of the week, then I really have lots to worry about, being in a nasty, spiritually toxic pickle, indeed.

Thankfully, that’s not me. I love Jesus. I want to be more like Him, obedient to the core, knowing that some rotten apples still need to be removed from my barrel—and always will in this life.

So, will He boot me out of His family? Read 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-15,17–‘For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with them those who have fallen asleep…For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord…(we) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.’ And from Jesus directly–‘…whoever comes to me I will never cast out’ (John 6: 37).

Hear that? God gives us His word. That when we’re in Christ, there’s no getting fired. Period. But make sure you’re one of His own and staying close by His side. Don’t fool yourself. Be the genuine article. The real McCoy in God’s family. Then you’ll find yourself safe as safe can ever be and all fired up for Jesus!

Dear Jesus, for being my Savior and Lord, I thank you. Amen.