Written By Ken Hulsey
This past weekend, my wife discovered one of my old pictures that I surprisingly didn’t have in my archives. The photo depicts a lonely desert road in Nevada, rendered in stark black and white. In this form, the image powerfully conveys a sense of emptiness.
Terri labeled this photo "On the Road to Vegas," a route I've traveled numerous times. As you head toward Las Vegas, your mind becomes preoccupied with thoughts of hitting the jackpot at a slot machine or game table. There’s a fleeting optimism that somehow Lady Luck will shine her grace upon you, and all your financial worries will disappear. With dreams of sudden wealth, you can’t help but fantasize about the big house you’d buy or what it would be like to dive into a huge pool of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck.
That's the road in.
The road back, however, is a different story. You find yourself broke and with a belly full of cheap buffet food—sadly, the days of $5 all-you-can-eat prime rib are long gone. You had a good time, but the reality is starting to hit that you have to face work in the morning.
So much for that solid gold toilet.
I used to cling to the belief that one day I would walk into Caesar's Palace, pull the lever of a slot machine, and watch gold coins pour out like something out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. That idea is ridiculous, of course, but I enjoyed fantasizing about it anyway.
That was then; this is now.
Looking back, I often wonder why I never won big in Vegas. It’s a question that can drive you a little crazy if you let it. Luckily, I know the answer. If I had broken the bank at Caesar's, I would have missed the chance to learn to trust in Jesus for my prosperity. It sounds like a simplistic answer, but it's true.
Over the past few years, the Lord has taught me a great deal about blessings and the importance of being grateful for them. The reason I didn’t win an Olympic-sized pool of gold is that He knew I wasn’t mature enough to handle it. I shudder to think of the chaos this cowboy would have caused with heaps of cash on hand. Many people would do anything to live like Robert De Niro, thinking it would be heaven on Earth. But I now possess the Godly wisdom to understand that it would actually be a nightmare.
Have you ever reflected on Christ's words: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:21-24)? I understand that if I were a rich man, my money could become my god. There’s a real chance I would be misled into thinking I had no need for Jesus, simply because all my needs seemed fulfilled by wealth rather than by Him. I know this isn’t the case, as I’ve never been wealthy, and over time I’ve learned to trust Jesus to provide for my needs.
If you are reading this, you are likely not a wealthy person, and I'm going to assume that you’re experiencing some financial difficulties in this current economy.
We all are.
It can be tempting to head to a casino in hopes of finding financial stability through gambling. I’ve tried that a few times. Always remember, my friends, that those games of chance favor the house. That's why they can offer you free drinks and $5 beef dinners. However, that's not the road to peace and happiness.
I know I’ve been rambling a bit, but I want you to understand that a real road leads to a better life. Having a personal relationship with Jesus has changed my life for the better. Money can't buy true happiness; that comes from inviting Jesus into your life. Salvation costs you nothing; all you have to do is believe that He died for your sins and rose on the third day.
I challenge you to think about that today. There’s a chance you could come out a winner!
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