Believe in something bigger
April 22nd, 2013 by Vivian“Believe in something bigger” is the California Lottery’s catch-phrase for Powerball.
The commercial does evoke a sense of wonder, as people stare open-mouthed at white balls falling in slow motion everywhere. But when the punchline of the commercial is revealed as Powerball, I’m thinking, “Is that all?”
When I think, “Believe in something bigger,” I do not think of “something bigger” as a remote chance to win mega-millions, which studies have shown do not affect overall long-term happiness.
When I think, “Believe in something bigger,” this is what I think of:
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Also,
Ephesians 3:17-21 ”… And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
What do you think is something bigger worth believing in?




more outrageous middle-eastern cleric.
Arthur was focused. It was dinner time, and he knew the drill — where the food was, and who would deliver it. Any twitch by his master towards the fridge provided an eager response from Arthur, who was not discouraged by so many false starts. He knew he was totally dependent upon his person-master for everything. But this did not discourage him; it seemed to give him purpose and direction, love and joy and peace.
When I went to wash my hands in the restroom of a Chinese factory, the sign above the sink said: “Perfermance tap, stretched out your hands to effluent, Please do not agitute!” (sic) In my Japanese hotel room, there was no flush lever on the toilet — instead, there was quite a complex looking control box attached to the wall, all in Japanese (and some cute pictures!) — I’m sure one of these buttons indicated “flush”, but which one? What if I press the wrong button? These are silly examples, but let’s face it, the world can be a very confusing place.
How is it that, if you build a circle of glass, and add some ice and hockey players on the other side, getting up close to that glass is so desirable it can cost more $100? Or instead if you add some water, sea otters, and toss them a few fish, getting up close to that glass will cause families to queue up 30 minutes early?