The Lottery

Thousands of people will stand in line this week to purchase a ticket hoping it bears the winning numbers that will make them an instant lottery winner.  Many will do this out of need others will do so out of sheer pleasure. However, at the end of the day the vast majority will realize their efforts were all in vain. The risk of being the 1 in 175,223,510 just didn’t pay off. On the other hand there will be just as many that will visit a store, health clinic, or an unemployment office stand in line, take a number, sit down and wait to be called. Unlike the purchase of the lottery ticket, the risk is minimal because eventually they will get results, yet each selection demands following a procedure and waiting. When we think of this in relation to God, the realization comes that He does not work on the lottery or number system. Rather out of the mouth of Jeremiah we hear the instructions, “Call unto me and I will answer, and show you great and mighty things that you know not.” There is no risk involved in the investment, no long lines to contend with, and most of all no waste of time. We are guaranteed an immediate presence, a listening ear and timely results. Granted, prayer does require our waiting on occasions for an answer but it never requires waiting for an audience with the God of all creation. We have access through Jesus Christ the Son; and just as importantly is the aspect that each of us can come before Him out of need or pleasure. He has made it clear that our visitation can be for the purpose of conquest or communing. Given the privilege afforded us, we must be careful not to resort to worldly measures in time of distress. This temptation was addressed by Jesus in the book of Matthew. In chapter six He encouraged his listeners not to give in to worry and fear resulting in their standing at counters taking the risk of human provision, and in offices of protracted delays. Rather, His advice was to seek God to find the provision for all needs. This option seems a lot more favorable than playing the lottery or taking a number and waiting in line to be called when we can begin immediately to call on Him.