Everyone is a VIP

Regardless where you live, where you work or where you travel there is always the defining line that separates the haves from the have-nots. 

I am a frequent flyer having crossed the big Atlantic over 40 times and always when boarding there is the go-ahead group commonly known as First Class. They have the front of the plane, large comfortable reclining seats, and 5-star accommodations. They have the money to pay the extra thousands to sit in luxury as the rest of us make our way to the coach fare seats.

While stationed abroad with our military in 5 tours supporting them ranging over 16 years I have learned all too well there is a VIP or Very Important People status and all the rest of us take a number and be seated. In my latest tour over into Iraq, there is a small sectioned-off civilian part of the base with signs posted VIP Area No Trespassing, which included their select housing (billeting) and bathing facilities (latrines). Us common folk get to share a tent with 7 more contractors. They get private quarters.

As I was a new arrival, I did not realize that meant you couldn't even use the toilet if you were not of that elite group in their cozy little quarters. I found out accidentally as I was passing by and stepped up in one of their latrines. I noticed a key lock pad on the door but it was not locked and without thinking I just walked in to obey the call of Mother Nature. The VIPs standing and shaving look at me like I was Dracula saying, "What are you doing in here.....who gave you permission?!" I was stunned and said, "I'm sorry, is this a restricted area...?" One of them said, "Yeah, how did you get in here without a code to the door lock?" I said " I'm sorry, didn't know and it was unlocked" as I shamefacedly apologized and got out of Dodge on a fast horse.

But you know what? God has no VIP sections in His Kingdom. We all are important to Him of whom we have to do with. The last time I examined a dug grave it was the same, one size fits all. The rich, the poor, and the in-between.

My favorite set of scriptures I quote often aloud and have taught to my children are "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein./Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD./For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (Ps. 24:1, Job 1:21, 1 Tim. 6:7)

I've never seen a Brinks armored truck or a U-Haul following a hearse, have you?

See, God categorizes differently than we do. When backed into a cave and alone, Elijah summed up his situation saying, he was the only one left that served the Lord. But, God counts Sunday School differently than we do. He told the old prophet, I have 7,000 you don't even know who have not taken a knee to Baal. 
 

Sometimes we get to thinking we are the cat's meow and the only ones God is hooked up with. Think again.

Jesus told His disciples He had sheep they knew not of.

 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16

That drug addict you snubbed your nose at saying to yourself, they'll never amount to anything just may be a diamond in the rough. They may be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb not many days hence and become a vibrant part of God's Kingdom. No, there are no secluded VIPs with Jesus. We all are the sheep of His pasture and considered very important because He loves us just the same.

God bless you and God bless America.