Worse than Western Europe’s summer heat, though, is Asia’s summer heat. …at least in my experience. Imagine traveling on an unairconditioned train from New Delhi, India, to Agra, India, where the Taj Mahal is. IN JULY. Then, you have to find a tour guide and get from the train station to the actual site. On top of that, there’s no water allowed inside the Taj Mahal’s gates. (At least there wasn’t when I went!) It is no exaggeration to say that I almost fainted numerous times while trying to enjoy the beauty of this magnificent structure. I hadn’t properly hydrated that morning, and by the time we finally got to the most beautiful part inside the Taj Mahal, it was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other and not black out in a collapsed heap on the ground. I was literally reciting a Bible verse in my mind over and over, asking God to keep me safe and sane until we could get to water just outside the Taj Mahal’s gates. 

Sooo I’ve started being more strategic! Rather than touring places through sweat and uncomfortable heat, why not get creative about scheduling trips? Last fall, I took a quick trip over my fall break in October to Lisbon, Portugal. Mild temperatures, no crowds of people. My life was changed!! Since then, I’ve used my July vacation days to visit  Peru, Bolivia, the Nordic countries, Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya. All of these countries have milder temps in July, making it the PERFECT time to visit. It has filled me with indescribable joy to exchange the Midwest’s heat and humidity for other countries’ cooler weather. The best trade on so many levels!

It’s so satisfying to exchange something undesirable for something more appealing. Right? Whether you’re exchanging a shirt that doesn’t fit for one that does, or a beater vehicle for something more reliable and smooth, exchanges are often extremely helpful and advantageous. 

When I listened to the song, “Exchange,” by Sons of Sunday, I started thinking about all of the exchanges Jesus made for me when He died on the cross. One exchange is quite obvious! He exchanged His very life for mine. He died a brutal death so that I wouldn’t have to. In presenting Himself as the perfect and complete sacrifice in atonement for sin, He gave believers everywhere the gift of eternal life. He took away our fear of death and exchanged that fear for the hopeful promise of eternal life with Him.

The lyrics of this song got me started on a search through Scripture for other exchanges Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice made possible for me. Look for the great exchanges in these verses: 

…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. -Isaiah 61:3

Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. -Isaiah 61:7

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. -Psalm 30:11

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. -Isaiah 35:10b

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” -1 Peter 2:24

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” -Zechariah 3:3-4

“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” -Acts 26:17-18

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” -John 5:24

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -John 16:27

“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” -John 16:20

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” -Revelation 21:4-5a

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. -Psalm 126:5-6

Did you skim through those or read them carefully? Either way, here’s a little recap on some exchanges God makes for His children. 

We get to exchange THIS…

• ashes, mourning, spirit of despair, heaviness, shame, disgrace, wailing, sackcloth, momentary troubles, sorrow and sighing, sin, filthy clothes, darkness, the power of Satan, judgment, death, troubled hearts, fear, weeping, tears, crying, pain and grief

…for THIS: 

• crown of beauty, oil of joy, garment of praise, double portion, inheritance, everlasting joy, dancing, eternal glory, gladness, joy, righteousness of God, fine garments, light, forgiveness, eternal life, peace, songs of joy, and everything made new

I mean, WOW!! Forget my excitement about exchanging a hot and humid July for a pleasant and cool one… That is the smallest of potatoes compared to the beautiful exchanges we get to make as believers. Just reading back through each of those lists above makes my heart feel a certain type of way. My insides feel heavy and anxious as I look at the first list, and they feel light and exuberant as I read through the second one again and again.

What is your response to the great exchanges God has made possible for your benefit? Have you expressed your gratitude lately? Are you living in such a way that displays your enjoyment of life as a child of God?  The life of a believer is a life of incredible perks. Jesus’ death exchanged a whole lot of negative things for a whole lot of positive ones, allowing us to live with unbelievable freedom, peace and joy. Are you truly embracing the great exchanges God made just for you? Or are you allowing yourself to live centered around some of the unhappy realities on that first list? 

Stop and think today. Take stock of your mindset, your choices and the state of your heart. Don’t suffer through 100 degrees with 80% humidity and when you could be strolling through the gorgeous mid-70s. Step into the life-changing exchanges Jesus offers.