We’ve all heard stories of people winning lotteries, or striking gold, striking it rich, or discovering treasures. Excitement and triumph lie at the door of their hearts. Plans and dreams begin to formulate. People sweat, faint, and get jittery upon their instant-change of life.
Sometime last year, Spanx founder, Sara Blakely, sold a majority stake in her shapewear company for a cool 1.2 billion. She gifted each of her 750 workers two round trip tickets to anywhere in the world plus $10,000 each in spending money! Now that’s a boss!
For now, imagine this scene:
You’ve been contacted with news of treasures or funds you’ll be receiving. You go on public TV and a gigantic check is being held for you. It’s temporarily covered. The host begins unveiling it right-to-left. You see zeroes, commas, more zeroes. You begin sweating as you see more commas and zeroes. As the unveiling continues at snail pace, you’re beside yourself now praising God for those Depends you’re wearing! After six commas, your friends are holding you up. Finally, the host says, “Are you R-E-A-D-Y??!!!” You howl and grunt and beat your chest as you cry, “G-I-V-E- I-T T-O- M-E!!!” Ever-so-slowly the blanket is completely withdrawn and as your jaw drops, your pants want to join it too. You stand in shock and disbelief! The reality of your riches sends you to your knees! Numbers come to mind-your lawyer’s, as reality sets in…the final-revealed digits are more zeroes.
That’s right, you won nothing, zilch, nada!
That’s life. Yet, many biblical characters actually opted for blank checks. They were offered houses, positions, more money than they could count; opportunities beyond the dreams of many, yet they gave them all up for a blank check-directly from God.
What does a blank check from God even look like? It’s the type of check that says, “I prefer to pass on these goodies including worldly recognition and be paid directly by God.” When we do things like give to charities or to benefits and receive, or demand recognition, Jesus says we have earned our rewards before men. However, when we get zilch for our works on earth, God shall reward us and exalt us in His presence.
Abraham was such a man. He obeyed God, left his home and walked to a city to do God’s will knowing the city was in heaven and that his reward for obedience would come in heaven by God’s own hands.
Granted, it’s not easy to walk this type of road. Were it, everyone would be on it. No, it’s a walk of faith. It’s taking steps without seeing where you’re going but knowing that when you reach the end or desired spot, God will be there to greet you and to reward you. In heaven, God, the Ultimate Boss will reward His faithful followers far beyond what we can imagine; far beyond the zeroes printed on that check. And when He does, those Depends might come in handy-were it not for the fact we won’t need them in heaven!
So, where are your riches? Have you dreamt and designed your blank check should you win? Have you prepared a speech? Save it. Because before God we’ll be at a loss for words. Tears of joy will say it all.
God Bless!
Sam
Finding Laughter In Difficult Times
My life experiences in the good times and in very difficult times will hopefully inspire, encourage, and motivate others to take time to laugh, reflect, and seek God when difficulties in life arise.