Tickets to heaven!

Monday morning headlines that grab your attention:

Aside from the team that lost, I thought it odd to read the resale price of tickets would drop. I immediately thought, "I wonder what the actual out of the box price for a ticket would cost?" Probably don't want to know.... Could you imagine buying a ticket to Super Bowl LI (51)?

If so, here is a representative website and potential price listings if you're interested.

(https://superbowl.nflonlocation.com/ticket-package#/)

I pondered the "Diamond" package above and immediately a pain emanated in my heart. The list price would be about 23% of my annual salary. Then I pondered my profession as pastor and wondered about that 'call to serve' thing. Calling is so much different than doing a job for a paycheck. Anyways, for $12,749, the best seats in the house with all the amenities.....hmm, what could they possibly offer me that would be worth that price? I did not login to inquire, but I suspect the price does not include transportation costs and housing at the site.

I'm not naive enough to think the stands would be empty on February 5. I know there will probably be standing room only no matter what teams show up. I also know the amount of capital invested in 30 second and 60 second TV ads are astronomical figures that make most of us shake our heads.

Importance that we place on earthly things, people, and events, does belie one truth. How much are we willing to invest into our eternality? Some might say, "That's a dumb question preacher!" I would respond, "I don't think so."

We are always seeking the next big thing, the next big payday, the next big experience. We live for things we don't have yet. Case in point, not 12 hours after the National Collegiate Football Championship game, the sports experts were already ranking college teams for the 2017 season that hasn't even started yet. Yet sadly, many will never consider their soul valuable enough to invest into a relationship with the God who created them and seeks to offer them choice seats in the event of all time. Sad. Hear Jesus speak truth.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

Where is your heart today? Is it focused on things that will be here today and gone tomorrow? Or, is your heart desperately seeking heavenly things that will never be destroyed?

Tip of the day:

*The heavenly prize you seek does not cost $12,749; it is a free gift. Your life, as a living sacrifice, is the total cost (Romans 12:1-2) It's a calling.