Hello everyone! It has once again been awhile since I’ve written a devotional. I must make a confession….I’ve had many ideas for devos, but it seems I’ve always let something else get in the way of me doing God’s work. For this, I ask for your forgiveness. It seems I let the hustle and bustle of everyday life keep me from not only being a blessing, but from seeing the blessings God has given me. But, God definitely got my attention during a recent shopping trip to Brookshire’s in Anna.
There was a young, black man with a very unusual name who was sacking my groceries. His name looked as if it would be pronounced like the word “ornery” (like an ornery mule), but was spelled Honore. He had a beautiful African accent. I asked him about it and it led to a very interesting story about this young man’s history. When I asked him how long he had lived in the United States , he replied it had only been a few short months. Being the inquisitive person I am, I asked if he was here to go to school. Here was his answer, “Have you heard of the online game called the ‘American Lottery’?” I told him no at which he told me, “I won!” He went on to explain how millions of people around the world, outside the US , play this game for a rare chance to win and come to the United States with a green card and under very strict regulations. What struck me first was his joy at winning the American Lottery, and then at the fact there are millions of people trying their luck to come to a country I live in and probably take for granted on a daily basis. Wow! The only thing I had to do was be born here.
Then, right there in the parking lot of Brookshire’s, God convicted me about another citizenship….how lucky I am as a Christians that it doesn’t take a lottery ticket to get to heaven…it is a free gift to me and open to all. Imagine, for a moment if you will, if we had to purchase a ticket just to be entered into a lottery for a chance to go to heaven.
First: How much would the ticket itself cost? Can you put an earthly price on a heavenly jackpot? Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” According to the author of Revelation, it is a free gift!
Second: Many people give lottery tickets as gifts for birthdays and even Christmas. Do you know of anyone who would give up their chance of heaven for you? But Romans 5:15 says, “how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” Jesus gave us such a gift through His sacrifice on the cross.
I was amazed as I listened to Honore’s story. Even though he had won the lottery and was now in America , there were very strict regulations and even restrictions on what he was able to do. All God asks of us is to believe in Him and follow His word to be able to enter into heaven. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” and Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
I know I will think of Honore often even though our paths crossed for a very short period. I wonder if he will stay in the US ? Will he be able to become a full-fledged citizen of the United States eventually? We don’t have to worry about these things in regards to heaven. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, not only are we citizens in God’s Kingdom, we are brothers and sisters of Christ Himself! Romans 8:17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…”
Will Honore have to prove himself? Will he have to be good enough to become a citizen? Even though we want to please God and serve Him as our talents allow and we want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness”; we must remember it is a gift! No purchased needed! No green card application to fill out! No background check! No lines in the convenience store to purchase a lottery ticket just for a chance to win!
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad heaven isn’t a one in a million chance for those who believe… “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16 (Congratulations! You’ve won the heavenly lottery!)
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