The Outcome is His

Back in the day when I was in High School one of the big events I was looking forward to was going to the premier of "Ben Hur", the greatest epic movie of it's time. That was "The" red carpet event back then. A good old fashion Hollywood special screening premier with the high-intensity searchlights criss-crossing the night sky and a very big deal to me. The boy I was dating had made all the special arrangements.  At the last minute he told me that he had an emergency and had to travel out of town with his family on the night we had planned to attend. Disappointment didn't begin to describe my feelings. He said we'd go to the movie when he got back. Going to a movie and the premier of a movie are two completely different things. I then learned that boy was not out of town but had taken my friend (?) to the premier. Imagine my joy in plotting his demise after I cried a bucket of tears and then planned her demise.  That sunk two friendless-ships. My dad came to my heart rescue and escorted me to the private cast party celebration viewing of Ben Hur.  Wow, what an evening! I didn't know any of the other stars but meeting Charlton Heston that night was a definite memory maker. Having that very special evening with my dad was THE quintessential blessing bigger than life itself. It certainly helped me to have a dad in "the Hollywood business" 

Those fun memories came flooding back while I was reading a devotional from God's Little Devotional Book about how Charlton Heston worked long hours with the stunt trainers to learn to drive a chariot for the movie's crucial chariot race scene. He improved greatly with His mastery over the horses and rig, but finally became convinced the task was more of a challenge than he had initially anticipated.  He approached the legendary director of the movie, Cecil DeMille about the scene. "Mr. DeMille," he said, "I've worked very hard at mastering this rig, and I think I can drive it convincingly in the scene. But I don't think I can win the race."

The director replied, "You just drive. I'll do the rest."  

A pearl to string: God has a way of orchestrating the various races we run during the course of our lives. He trust us to do our part in "manning the rigs." We must trust him to determine the result of the race.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The greatest act of faith is when man decides he is not God but realizes that "he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him."  (Philippians 4:13) 

We have a Creator in the Saving business

You are loved,

                  Lyndi

NOTE: I love the point this illustration makes but I'm not sure of the validity of the story.  Cecil B DeMille was not the director on the 1959 Ben Hur movie but he did direct Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments in 1956 which turned out to be Mr. DeMille's last film. William Wyler directed the 1959 movie. AND yes I did wind up forgiving both friends but didn't choose to hang with either one of them again :)