You know the scene. You’re in a hurry in line at the grocery store or the gas station. Inevitably, the person in front of you thinks her ticket to a no-worry life is a dollar away.

The anticipation mounts. The eyes focus on the yellow and black board with the newly posted amount. Then the customer asks for a prized pink ticket or chooses her numbers carefully, exchanging a single dollar for the chance for millions of dollars. The greater the prize, the more people take a shot at claiming it for their own. That is the lure of the Powerball.

Who hasn’t purchased at least one ticket for the grand prize? Who hasn’t fantasized about how they would spend all those neatly stacked towers of money sitting in the bank? Never mind that your chances of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 146,107,962.

What would you do with your millions if you won the lottery? Some people make bad decisions, spending it all, indulging in sin and ruining their lives. Others are smart; they invest the money, spend it on purchases that will truly improve their lives, or donate it to improve the lives of others.

What if I said you have already won a prize far bigger than the lottery – even beyond the limits of human imagination? What if getting that reward was already a guarantee? Congratulations! You are a winner, thanks to Jesus Christ! Through his death on the cross and resurrection on Easter, Jesus has saved you, me, and all of us from sin. You have been given the gift of faith and forgiveness, the gift of God’s love and eternal life.

Easter reminds us that we have already won our ultimate prize: eternal life through Jesus. The price we are asked to pay? Accepting our salvation and living the Good News as Jesus taught.

So the question is: Now that you have won the prize of salvation, what are you going to do with it?

Will you throw it away with an attitude of selfishness and power, closing yourself off to the love God so freely offers? Or will you rejoice in the incredible Prize of knowing God’s love through Jesus Christ, improving your life and the lives of those around you?

This Easter, don’t just keep your eyes on the rising Powerball Jackpot. Instead, keep in mind that Jesus died for us and has risen from the dead. We didn’t buy a winning ticket, but thanks to God’s generosity, mercy and love we have won eternal life. So, go ahead – have fun playing the Powerball! But remember: We’re already winners. Enjoy life with our Risen Savior.

Sister Diana Rawlings is Vocation Director for the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, United States Region. She can be reached at 1 -877-236-7377 (ADORERS).

Saint Maria De Mattias founded the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1834 in a small Italian village to serve and educate the poor. Pope John Paul II canonized De Mattias on May 18, 2003. The Adorers' American mission was founded in 1876 and has evolved into the United States Region. Today, 385 sisters, 343 associates and 229 employees serve Adorer ministries in spiritual enrichment, health care, education, pastoral ministry and social justice here and abroad. The Adorers' United States Region has headquarters in St. Louis and centers in Ruma, Illinois; Wichita, Kansas and Columbia, Pennsylvania.