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You do not have to be a big sports fan in Dallas to know at least a little something about T.O. Since his arrival the cameras have been on him constantly, good or bad. Mr. Owens demands attention, and media of all kind are willing to give it to him.

I have found that most people do not like T.O., and though there are plenty of things not to like about him, I have found some things that show he is smarter than your average bear. No matter if you like him or not.

He is a very gifted athlete and from appearances works hard at it. Take one look at his body and you know that no one gets into that kind of shape by accident. It takes hard work. I also know he is gifted because wherever he has played he has succeeded and has gained awards from his peers, who know best what it takes to be a great athlete.

T.O. loves attention, and I find him to be a great marketer of himself. He likes the spotlight and, my friends, he gets it, good and bad. What does this translate into? Money -- and lots of it. For example, the last I heard, his No. 81 was the biggest selling jersey of anyone in the National Football League. He has taken his gifts, work, and marketing savvy and turned it into a nice $25 million contract with the Cowboys. Not too bad, I’d say.

It is there at $25 million that I would like to land for a while. A couple of weeks ago T.O. took too many pain pills while recovering from a broken hand. According whom you choose to believe, he either took them by accident or tried to commit suicide. There is not time or space enough to debate this and, besides, only Mr. Owens really knows.

The day this news broke, the press was everywhere. You would have thought a president had been shot. After a day of speculation, the Cowboys called a news conference to explain the issue. During that time T.O.’s publicist, Kim Etheredge, started issuing denials, and then she made the statement that got my attention. Kim Etheredge said, “Terrell has 25 million reasons to be alive.” Oh really?

I guess for some reason Ms. Etheredge believes that if you make a lot of money that gives you plenty of reasons to live. I beg to differ, but I am worried that many out there agree with her even though we never say it.

There are plenty of people with all kinds of money who are living lonely, desperate and totally lost lives. There are also are plenty of people out there who are making very little money that are also living lonely, desperate and totally lost lives. There is no shortage of miserable people living in all kinds of economic situations. Money makes no difference whatsoever when it comes to reasons to live.

Ms. Etheredge has bought into one of the great lies of our society and I believe of the Evil one. That lie is this: how much you make, or what position you hold, is what gives your life worth. If that is what you believe, you will likely find nothing at the end of your rainbow except loneliness, emptiness and a total lack of peace.

Why? You were not created simply to be rich or successful, at least rich and successful by the world’s standards. You are worth something because you are a creation of God, and that is good enough.

Let’s use a Biblical example of a great celebrity who had it all and was known the world over during his life. Solomon was a man who had everything honored by this world; he had great wealth, wisdom and tremendous possessions. This is what he said in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Indeed he was very wise.

In our wealthy, me-oriented society, we see each and every day the truth of what Solomon said in the scriptures lived out in broken and meaningless lives. You can never be successful enough; you can never have money enough. Enough is never ever enough. When you have 25 million reasons to live, you will want 25 million + one, I guarantee it.

Feeling empty? Looking for purpose? Looking for a reason to get up in the morning? I need only give you one reason; The God that created you loves you. Because He does, He has a purpose and plan for your life. In that plan, and with that God, you find real worth.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” The Message

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to avoid the traps of this world that lead us into depression and loneliness. Have us always to remember we are your child and that you love us even when it seems like the world does not. We thank you this day that you love us and sent your son to die for us and we ask these things in His precious and most holy name, the name of Jesus, Amen.