What Are the Odds?

In 1998, I attended a conference in Reno. I had just finished up lunch with colleagues and began meandering through a sea of slot machines. There was a mesmerizing display of blinking lights and the sounds of clinking coins. My thoughts drifted, and I recalled gambling away an old Eisenhower on a lark, winning twenty bucks.

Then suddenly, I awoke from my post-lunch slumber. The casino erupted with ear-splitting chimes and bells. Euphoria filled the smoke-filled room.

Peering through the haze, I saw her. Dazed, seated on a stool. She’s in shock, I thought. The burgeoning crowd gathered. The rumors swirled about the Megabucks slot that surrendered a purse in the millions.

I wondered, what are the odds?

I recalled a woman who cashed out an 800-million-dollar lottery; her odds were pretty good, about 1 in 292 million.

The promise of riches consumes the most devoted earth dwellers. It’s a hot topic on vision boards, alongside the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Popular reality shows even tell their stories as they join the ranks of the nouveau riche.

Most don’t believe they’ve won anything in this life. But we all won the most miraculous prize. When we were born, we won the lottery of life—with odds that are impossible to comprehend: 1 in 400 quadrillion.

A woman produces a couple of million eggs over her lifetime, but only a few hundred have a chance of being born. An average of 50 million sperm compete for one fertile egg. With those odds, doesn’t it make sense that God would have a purpose for us? We are God’s miracles.

I’ve experienced some success by worldly standards. However, I’ve come to realize that pursuing money, status, and pride in life can lead us astray and distract us from our true purpose.

Perhaps it was Moses who wrote: A man is born for trouble as the sparks fly upward—squandering his eternal inheritance and chasing the vanities of life. Have you considered how you’ll spend the rest of your life?

The Bible says many are called, but few are chosen. Why is this? I believe few are chosen because they’re not listening. And they never answer the call. Are you listening?

You are significant, and God will reveal His great mysteries. His Word makes astonishing declarations about us; even the angels desire to look into these things. God wants to show us the mystery He purposed in Christ to be fulfilled in us at an appointed time. Call out to Me, and I’ll answer you, and I’ll tell you about great and hidden things that you don’t know. God will reveal His vision to you. Will you answer the call?