Ticket please

This morning was wonderful! Woke up, on time even, got dressed and headed for work! The air this morning was beautiful, slightly deceiving considering that it is supposed to be 102 - I stopped and got a cup of coffee, decaf of course, and as I waited in line I paid particularly close attention to a woman in front of me. Something about her just made me listen to her words…..

She told the clerk, “I want the cheapest lottery ticket I can get with the greatest chance of a big win…..” That phrase hit me smack in the face. Now, I don’t buy lottery tickets because I am a chicken, but I thought if I was going to I would be thinking what she just said. Then I thought, that is how I live my life, spiritually, physically, relationally. Physically I think, I can eat what I want and not exercise, but still expect my body to look like Miss Fitness from the TV. I can give just enough to my relationships to keep them a float, but expect them to have the depth they once did. I can give the Lord the very minimum, but I want the greatest return you’ve got. Wow. Yep, I am the lottery ticket buyer. I put in some Jesus time here and there, read my bible when I have time, go to church on Sunday mornings…..you know the drill. Even when I am on the ball with all the “stuff” I do for the kingdom, I am still holding back the things that are the most important. My entire heart and soul. I can do and do and do things that are great, but if my soul is not well there is no point in doing the stuff. Some days I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be, right in the middle of God’s will for me. You know the feeling……when you think “nothing can get to me today. Me and Jesus are one in the same.” Those wonderful days where you are dying to yourself and giving Him everything you’ve got. And in the blink of an eye, you can become lottery ticket buyer. Ok lord, if I have to pray today to get what I want, I will. I am more amazed at Christ’s patience with me every day. He just waits on me to learn the same lesson again and again, never judging, always loving.

Where are you today? Are you giving your all to Christ or are you the lottery ticket buyer - - - giving Christ the smallest piece of you expecting His greatest return?

My prayer today for each of us is that we learn for the first time, or maybe the 12433 time to die to ourselves completely. That we will seek ye first His Kingdom alone before all else and that we give more than is required of us every moment of this day. I pray that it truly is well with your souls……