Fridays are for Newspaper Articles

Here, as usual, is my weekly article from the Canyon Lake (TX) Times-Guardian.  Enjoy!

“A Thought-Provoking Lesson

from the Academy Awards” 

            I did not watch the Oscars last night.  As they say, I didn’t “have a dog in that hunt.”  But, I did hear this morning that the four major actor awards given (i.e., male and female, supporting and primary actor/actress) were all won by non-Americans.

            From a quick Google search, I found out that this Oscar shut-out of American actors has happened before, but not since the 1960s.  Thus, it is notable in regard to both what took place and what did not happen.

            I wonder how some of those high-profile American actors and actresses (e.g., George Clooney, Tommy Lee Jones, Laura Linney, Ruby Dee) felt in getting passed over for their counterparts from other regions of the world.  It could not have been fun, even if they secretly felt like the persons who took home the statues actually deserved to win (and, admittedly, there is a lot of subjectivity involved in making such judgments).

            As I see it, though, such significant disappointments do well in helping us to consider how we have “invested” our lives.  Certainly, none of these nominees could be considered to be merely mediocre in their craft, particularly in the role(s) for which he or she was nominated.  But, looking back, did they do their best?  Rather than resting on their laurels of being an Academy Award nominee—and, for many, it was their first time and possibly a “career maker”—they should all definitely ask, “What can I learn from this experience?  How can I be even better in my next role?”

            Whether we want to admit it or not, each person who is alive on this earth is going to be involved in a judgment ceremony before Almighty God.  In Revelation 20:11-15, all unbelievers will be judged for their works and every single one will be found wanting.  Why?  Because works—no matter how good or how much—can ever save anyone before God (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Only faith in Jesus Christ’s redemptive death on the Cross can save you from the just judgment of your sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

            But, for those who are saved through faith in Christ, there will be a “rewards ceremony” before the heavenly victory stand (2 Corinthians 5:10).  Much like gold medals are handed out at the Olympics, or Oscars were awarded at the Kodak Theater in L.A. last night, those believers who have been truly faithful before the Lord will be honored in such a way that will last for all eternity.

            What an incredible thought!  In the Olympics, only the most elite gifted athletes can take home the gold.  At the Academy Awards, only the truly elite actors and others in the motion picture world can win an Oscar.  But, in the church of Jesus Christ, any believer who chooses to walk by faith with the Lord on a consistent basis can win a heavenly crown and hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

            Do you want to be left out when you stand before the Lord?  If you are already a Christian, you can begin to “store up treasures in heaven” by living your life daily to the glory of God.

            If you are not yet a Christian, just listen to the Apostle Paul’s answer to the timeless question he was asked in Acts 16: “What must I do to be saved?”  His reply: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”  It really is that simple.  So, just do it! 

Coming Monday: “What So ‘Spiritual’ about Spiritual Gifts?”