Who Wants A Million Dollars?

Would you like it if someone offered you a million dollars? I recently heard a very short video of Brad Lea (look him up) sharing a hypothetical situation with a couple of people on a podcast. In it, he proposed that he would give each of the two individuals a million dollars, maybe even ten million dollars. He asked if that would brighten their day, make them happy or even elated, or if anything would get them down if that were to happen.  

Of course, they both wanted the cash. But then he suggested a “catch,” a condition for them to receive the money. They would not wake up the next day, their lives would be over. Would they still take the money? 

Of course not! They both said absolutely not, as life is more important than money. Very few would take the money under those conditions, although there are some who would obviously take the money, and give it away or do something with it for loved ones or family. If someone was in the final phase of a terminal disease, or so forlorn and depressed that they wanted to die anyway, that of course would be different. Okay, okay - the point is made anyway. 

Life is infinitely more important than money. The simple but incredible act of waking up each day is a gift from God for those who are living. Dying is still a mystery for everyone, even for those who believe in eternal life through faith in Jesus and trusting God. We just don't know what it will be like. 

While we are alive, we know something of what this life holds. And we can hold on to the thankful attitude that is a wonderful starting point for living each day. Thankfulness seems like it is so much better when we trust that it is God who gives us life, and has provided for our lives all day every day. I cannot imagine to whom an atheist would be thankful - can you? 

So when you wake up tomorrow, even if you “lose” an hour like we did today (Daylight Saving Time!), why not look at it as if you had been given something worth more than a million dollars? Even ten million! Because it is. Life cannot be measured with any treasure that this world might offer.  

Some years ago, around fifty actually, I heard a message from a wonderful Christian teacher by the name of Joy Dawson. She posed a question to those of us in her class. 

“Do you know what the million-dollar question is?” She picked among those who raised their hands to answer the question, and there were some respectable answers. But no one got to what she was getting at. Here is her answer. 

The Million Dollar Question: “God, what are you trying to teach me right now?"

Do you believe in God? Is there a God, an almighty being who created everything, who continues to keep everything in order, who has a plan for our lives, who cares about us and even loves us?

I do believe. I believe He sent His Son Jesus some 2,000 years ago, to live and die for us, to teach us God's ways, and to die for our sins, and to open the way for us to have peace with God. 

I was raised in church, as my dad Kenneth Hayden was a pastor. I even have the initials PK, as do my brother and sister - it stands for Preacher's Kid! What a branding! For that I am not the least bit sorry. I cherish my upbringing in the church. I have seldom questioned God's existence, nor His love for me. And it has served me well in my understanding of life and people. It helps immeasurably in making sense of life. 

But in believing in God, do you believe God can talk with you? Do you believe He can lead you? I have been asked, or rather almost grilled, by some people, about believing that God talks to people today. They say, “Don't you believe it's dangerous or crazy to believe that God can talk to people today?”

Actually, I would say I believe it is more crazy and more dangerous to believe that God DOESN'T talk to people today! Yes, I am sure that it can be abused, and it is all the time. But I trust and know that God loves us, and if He is alive as the Bible teaches, then He wants to talk with us, and lead us, and help us - all the time, at all times, in our lives. That is what His love is. We have the Bible to help us understand the parameters of what God speaks to us. And we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom God gives and shares to help us with everything in our lives. It was a promise of Jesus when He was here on this earth. The Spirit is our Comforter, our Helper, our Teacher, our Guide in this life. 

So - back to the original question. Do you want a million dollars, or the equivalent? 

Ask God, at any time in your life: "GOD, FATHER, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO TEACH ME RIGHT NOW?"

He is always trying to teach us something. He loves us, and wants the very best for us. 

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) How much life do you have? How much life do you want? 

Blessings to all. Till next time…