Now! Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The other day I was traveling home from vacation and stopped at a gas station in northwest Georgia.  After fueling up, I went inside to grab a tall soda and some nabs only to return to the car with soda, nabs, and lottery tickets.  I couldn’t resist.  The lottery jackpot was up to 63 Million dollars!  Normally, I wouldn’t waste my time buying a lottery ticket.  After all if the payout is less than 10 million it’s just not worth my time (being that I’m so filthy rich and all… good grief that’s some stupid logic).

Anyway.  I had in my hands what I perceived to be the winning numbers.  Let me tell you how I came to that conclusion.  I figured… I’m a decent guy.  I try real hard to do the right thing.  I love my family, I’m a good worker, and I serve in my church.  Surely God would want that lottery money to go to a man that would honor him… right?  I had a conversation with God and told him that if these were the numbers… my church would get 10% of it!  That’s Godly… right?  Amen?!?

Oh just imagine what I could do with all that money!  The lives I could change with new houses, cars, food, shelter, clothing, and college funds for kids of single moms!  I would only keep about 20 million to myself (cause I would quit work and would need to support my own family of course).

Naturally, I’m just making a point here.  Yes I did buy the tickets… and no… I did not win.  Does that mean that I didn’t hit the lottery?

I was born to a family that loves me.  I married a saint of a lady that I adore and have the most amazing daughter that melts my heart daily.  I’ve struggled at times in my life, but I’ve never starved.  And most importantly, I’ve discovered the depth of love that God has for me.

If that isn’t hitting the lottery… I don’t know what is.  I wouldn’t sell  or exchange 1 second of this crazy life for a winning lottery ticket.  I’m convinced that if I did get lucky and hit the numbers, I wouldn’t feel compelled to change a single thing.

When I responded to God and accepting His way as the guiding force in my life, I hit it BIG!  There are so many of us walking around waiting on our payday that we miss the incredible journey of life!  God has created you and called you according to His purpose.  Until you reconcile your life to His purpose… you’ll keep buying lottery tickets.

Stop making deals with God that if he’ll just bless you a little more.. .then you’ll be able to do His work without obstacles.  Have you ever considered that the obstacles are what define our faith?  That the conflict we have in life is the sandpaper that smooths out our roughness?

The fact that you are reading this blog on a computer without risk of persecution or death puts you in the top 10% of wealth in the world.  You’re blessed… do you know that?  You have enough for today… do you realize that?  More is not always better… get it?

How often have you withheld more “candy” or “toys” from your child for fear that they were getting spoiled or too accustomed to having more than they can handle?  Hello…. God knows what’s best for you.  Let me fill you in on a little secret (it’s not actually a secret):  If you can’t appreciate or use the gifts that God has given you to this point in your life… what makes you think you’re ready for more?

Don’t get me wrong… I would LOVE to hit the lottery.  I don’t expect that it will ever happen… and I’m totally happy about that.  As for where I sit and look at the world… I did better than hitting the lottery.  I figured out what it means to be content in God.

May you stop chasing the dreams of what could be… and start realizing the dream of living in where God has placed you.  You are the lottery to many people around you.

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31

About

Welcome, and thanks for dragging yourself over to Live|Bold! My name is Greg Arnold and I am pumped to see you here. This interactive online community is here to point every man toward the cross. Whether you have been a follower of Christ for ages, or you are just stumbling into this strange new world of faith, we have something of value to offer you. This online e-zine is a cross between a blog, a social network, a resource center, and a pulpit. My hope is to inspire you to live your faith on the outside and be a real man for God. We need you in the fight.