While filling up my truck with gas I watched a man purchase five lottery scratch tickets. Ever so hopeful he walked out to his car, pulled a quarter from his pocket and scratched away. One, two, three, four and finally number five. Nothing. He didn’t even get his money back. With a look of disgust he threw them in the trash container, looked at me and shook his head. I didn’t know him but I wanted him to win. It would be great fun to see someone win something really big. We can rejoice with them even when we know their euphoria will be short lived. Those kinds of windfalls do not produce long lasting well-being.
So what in this world does produce enduring well-being? I want to answer relationships. Relationships keep on giving for years. Relationships are the best thing on earth. Yet the truth is the more we love the more we will suffer the loss of that loved one for all relationships are guaranteed a future parting. Is there any hope for any good thing to be permanent?
According to Paul there is. In Ephesians 1 Paul tells us God’s great pleasure is to lavish us with riches of grace, wisdom, understanding and great power. Every possible spiritual gift becomes ours. It is a process of giving that begins now and continues on forever. Paul calls it our glorious inheritance. We will not leave earth without it. How very grand!
Written by Roger Bothwell on October 25, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453