Sunday, August 01, 2010
"Run in such a way as to win the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) A young man was in a production of My Fair Lady in high school. He said his role was small but he was sure someone had said that there are no small roles. (He thinks he was the third cockney on the left.) Regardless, his school was entered in a state-wide drama competition. First prize included the opportunity to perform in a professional playhouse. The judge was scheduled to come to the Saturday night performance, but for some reason he showed up on Thursday, the night of the dress rehearsal. The director explained the mix up to the cast and crew: "This is not just a run-through. Tonight counts so give your best performance." That changed the atmosphere backstage. Getting everything right -- every line, every cue, every entrance and exit -- became more important than ever because the judge was the audience. It needed to be more than a dress rehearsal _ it had to be the “real thing”.
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Luke 12:40) Sometimes we live as if life is all a “run-through” _ as if we'll have another shot at life someday. Not so _ today counts _ it’s the "real thing" _ there is no dress rehearsal. Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:12-15) Here’s the point: since today is the “real thing” live in such a way as to please God.
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