The Stakes Are High

Each day is a gamble.

Each day, we play the game.

Each day, we hold all the chips---or so we are told. But, that is the lie. Each day, we are told the lie. We are told that we can do what we want, when we want to do it, however we choose to do it. The truly scary part? A lot of us believe this. We go through life gambling with money that isn't ours. Why? Because we believe the lie.

And then, one day the chips run out. We are left wondering how to get back into the game. As long as we can play the game, everything is fine. Right? Afterall, we were successful before. Why not now. If only we could find a way back into the game. But we are left with no way to get back in. And then, we are told the biggest lie of all; "there is nothing left to play for. The game is over, and this is all there is." A lot of us believe this lie, as well.

So, who is lying to us? Satan, the prince of lies. Who really holds all the chips? God. Then why did they run out? Because WE were trying to hold them. We were gambling with money that wasn't ours. Is life really a gamble? No. It is a gift from the One holding all the chips. So, let's stop gambling.

Easy to say. Hard to do. Especially for those in the world who do not understand the gift. They easily fall for the lie---until the day when life no longer holds any meaning. Then, they simply want out of the gambling arena. I have a buddy facing this very thing. I pray I can get to him in time. Please pray with me.

The Next Chapter

There are chapters to our lives. Each chapter brings its own unique set of problems, joys, and adventures. These adventures take us on the journey called "life". How we receive what each chapter brings forth tells a lot about us. Even more telling is how we receive the end of one chapter in order to begin the next. You see, it is inevitable. The chapter WILL end. A new one MUST begin. I believe dealing with this is two-fold. First, we must be able to recognize a chapter's ending. Second, we must be willing to allow it to end. If one were reading a book, no matter how enjoyable a chapter, one knows that it has to end. It would not do to continue repeating a chapter over and over again, because one would never get to the end of the book. Life is like that. No matter how enjoyable this life-chapter seems, once it ends, we must be prepared to move on. You see, there is simply more to the story; and it MUST be told. And who knows? The next chapter may be the most enjoyable yet. "Read" on.