This past week, I had a conversation with a friend who was facing some difficulties and trying to make some decisions and I asked him what kind of Golden Ticket he was looking for. Essentially, I was wondering what thing(s) (job, opportunities, community, etc) would make a big difference in directing what his next steps might look like. Is there something you have your hopes set on that you think may radically change your life? When the Lottery gets big enough, more people play in hopes of winning the ‘jackpot’ and thinking they will be set for life. If you look at the lives of those who have already won lotteries, or amassed fortunes in other ways, you will realize that more finances doesn’t bring more happiness. You may think you got the golden ticket when you married your spouse (maybe you even said that on Valentine’s Day), but even the best marriages are not perfect and require work. So, there are many things that we think may make our lives better, and they may, but there may not be one golden ticket that change our lives for the better, or could there be?
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
In talking with my friend, we concluded that he already had received the only Golden Ticket that counted, and that was salvation through Jesus, which some might call a ticket to Heaven. If you are a born again Christian, this may be something that you can often take for granted, but it honestly trumps all the other golden tickets you might think you could get in life. When I prayed with him, we stated thankfulness for what God had already given us, and also prayed for direction that God would reveal to him new opportunities he needed. When you pray, after giving thanks, what things do you usually ask for from God? We should all ask for knowledge and wisdom in life to do His will and to give us opportunities to grow in our faith, which often doesn’t always look like we think it should. After giving us the our saving faith, we should look for new ways to serve others and help them find the same genuine Golden Ticket as well!
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8
Yours in Christ,
Clark
