This week marks the end of Oprah's 25 years on television. At her surprise farewell special yesterday, many of the 400+ men from Morehouse College who had been recipients of her scholarship came to honor and thank her for her gift to them. Many of the men felt that without Oprah's gift, they would have ended up out on the streets or in prison. Her one gift literally transformed the lives of these men. It was a very touching story and the audience was practically in tears.
What struck me about this story is that the recipients of Oprah's scholarship money ended up extremely successful. I'm just guessing that in order to qualify as a recipient the men had to demonstrate some sort of worth or potential. She obviously discriminated well as to who should qualify, because the investment apparently paid off. These were truly worthy men.
Thank goodness that God doesn't make us qualify for His gift of salvation. Romans clearly states that God was willing to extend his grace to not only the righteous and worthy, but to sinners. Since all men are sinners, God's grace is freely extended to EVERYONE. You don't have to qualify, show potential, or live by the canons of the Catholic church. No, you just have to believe and accept the gift. Anyone can have this gift. There's no special treatment for minorities or for women. There's no age requirement. God freely gives His grace to anyone who will take it!
God's grace is the best eternal scholarship anyone could ask for. It's free and open to anyone who takes it. If 400+ men can fly to Chicago, dress in a suit, and walk down an aisle with a candle in honor of Oprah for her college scholarship, how much more should we do to honor God for his free eternal gift of life? If you're a Christian, don't forget to thank God and praise Him today. And if you've never accepted God's gift, it's not too late.
I think this recording by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill sums up what is on my heart today:
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