Winners

1 Peter 1:7-9 – These [trials] have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (NIV)

As those who journey in the kingdom of God, we can rejoice that God is with us always. So, when I wake up in the morning, I say, "Morning, Lord!" (or something similar) and pour out my mind upon Him with my thoughts for the day. Those who are in a relationship want to talk to their partner. Then, at some point, I try to remember that He is actually God, worthy of my praise and worship, and not just my companion for the day ahead.

I reflected today on how I used to want to win a million pounds so that I could give the money away to good causes. The discussion would be something like this:

"If I were to win a million pounds, I could give 100 percent of it away and help those in need." I did not hear God's reply, so I continued: "I know that my wife would not look kindly on me, giving away all of the cash when we are in debt to the mortgage company." Covetousness would sneak up on me from the nether regions and I would say, "So how about if we gave away 90 percent of the million pounds and we keep 10 percent to pay off our debts and have enough for a new car and a holiday?" Then, I would say, "But I know that it would be hard for me to give 900,000 pounds away without giving some to my children, so how about 20 percent for us and 80 percent for good causes, etc.?"

By this time, I would realize that I was sunk and would give up asking, in the knowledge that I could not be entrusted with money that would first become mine, because I would want to own it and spend it, rather than allow God to flow through the giving.

In reality, we do not own money, because the value of any paper money that we possess is not inherent; it carries an authority as currency which is recognized as binding. We use it, if we have any, to trade, receive, or give away. Now, we have digital as well as paper money, no longer with intrinsic worth, unlike the original copper, silver, and gold lumps of metal, which, several millennia later, are still traded as desirable.

I am reminded how God gave us His Son, Jesus, sent into the world to bring us back to Him. The value of this Jesus kingdom is innate and always with those who are willing to receive it.

As Christians, we are recipients of this free gift of grace, winners as a part of the kingdom of God on earth. We have Jesus abiding with us always via the Holy Spirit. We are tasked with giving away this good news of grace, witnessing to our life-changing salvation. We are entrusted with something of greater worth than mere currency.

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice that You have set us free from sin and taken us to be a part of Your kingdom here on earth and in heaven. Grant us wisdom and boldness to share Your story and give away the joy of the good news. Be with us as we pray for all those we can, in Jesus' name. Amen.