Do You Like Falling Like Dominoes?

    Romans 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21

Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

If by that one person's transgression the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
so that, as sin reigned in death,
grace also might reign through justification
for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I read these verses and think of dominoes. I have an appreciation of a really good setup done artistically well, but even more of an appreciation as I watch them all fall to perfection. Keep in mind though, we were not made to fall. We were made to be perfected pieces of art and to rise up into heaven. Do you like to knock things down in your life, or are you crafting your life as a piece of art? Just like any great piece of art you need the materials to work, good materials. That's where God's grace comes into play.

Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants."

The other question that begs to be asked is, "Do you even show up to play." I've had the pleasure to be in the presence of true artists. To watch one using their talents to their fullest can be mesmerizing. All to often though I have watched talented people waste time, money and talent pursuing other interests. I'll hear comments like, "Boy if I could do 'X' like _____ then I wouldn't waste my time. I would be making it happen". I often wonder if that is true. Thing I experience though is that people with talent take it for granted to often and waste it. Their talent is like air to them and that is sad. Just the same with God's grace. It's there for the taking, but all to often we refuse to ask or even acknowledge it is in our life already. So like a brand new box of dominoes, they go unused, stuck in the back of the junk drawer till they are sold cheap on a garage sale. Don't wait, God is waiting to work with you today, right now this very instant.

Jesus,

I love you very much and all that you do for me, and I am sorry that I don't take advantage of your help and love more often. I am sorry I walk away from you when you are waiting to help me. Help me to realize your grandness and  your glory. Help me to appreciate your sacrifice for me. Help me to be the best me, the me that your father made me to be. Please be patient, I'm pretty stupid most days.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen