At the very beginning, we have to acknowledge that the Masters is a huge event. Thousands (in fact, more than a hundred thousand) of people come to this event. Residents rent out their homes (residents with nice homes) to the visitors. There are full-time, year-round corporations that just rent out homes for the Masters. Cooks are flown in from around the nation (and the world, a lot from London this year) just to prepare food for the various social functions and "networking" events of the year.
Thousands of people rent out their homes and take vacations. Offices close in the local area. It is an annual ritual of travel and spending and days off. It is rather like what we think of an Old Testament feast day, where everyone participates.
There are vacation cabins in our local area whose major income is this week. Golf courses are packed at very high green fees. There are hospitality centers providing food and maid services providing clean-up. Hotels are filled (many with technical people from ESPN and CBS and other media). Everything is different for one week.
For those of us who live here, who do not rent out their homes, and who actually have nothing to do with the Masters at all, it is kind of an odd week. There is this huge event just a few miles away (I live about four miles from the course). Thousands of people are involved. Hundreds of businesses are working hard on the whole event.
Yet, my life continues with only a small difference (someone may be gone, some restaurant may be more crowded). It is almost like the greatest event in our area, one of the greatest in the country, does not exist.
How odd it is that so many people live entire lives with no knowledge of what God is doing. Thousands (and millions) of people are being saved, are being filled with the Spirit, are leading quiet lives of dignity, service, and love, but they do not know. The Word is being preached, but they do not know. People are growing in righteousness, in peace, and in freedom. They are developing friendships that will last not only in this life but in the life to come, but so few people even know.
The kingdom of God is at hand, but they see only a shadow, a hint of what is actually happening.
I had someone tell me once that they "did not want" to see the Masters tournament. They did not want to walk on the green grass and see the beauty of the course. They did not want the service and the pleasure of the event. They just would not go if they had the chance.
As for me, I wonder about all the people who say the same to the kingdom of God. One day, they, if His grace does not intervene, will stand aside while the glories of the kingdom are celebrated by the children of the King. As for me, I will be glad to be inside on that day,
Thousands of people rent out their homes and take vacations. Offices close in the local area. It is an annual ritual of travel and spending and days off. It is rather like what we think of an Old Testament feast day, where everyone participates.
There are vacation cabins in our local area whose major income is this week. Golf courses are packed at very high green fees. There are hospitality centers providing food and maid services providing clean-up. Hotels are filled (many with technical people from ESPN and CBS and other media). Everything is different for one week.
For those of us who live here, who do not rent out their homes, and who actually have nothing to do with the Masters at all, it is kind of an odd week. There is this huge event just a few miles away (I live about four miles from the course). Thousands of people are involved. Hundreds of businesses are working hard on the whole event.
Yet, my life continues with only a small difference (someone may be gone, some restaurant may be more crowded). It is almost like the greatest event in our area, one of the greatest in the country, does not exist.
How odd it is that so many people live entire lives with no knowledge of what God is doing. Thousands (and millions) of people are being saved, are being filled with the Spirit, are leading quiet lives of dignity, service, and love, but they do not know. The Word is being preached, but they do not know. People are growing in righteousness, in peace, and in freedom. They are developing friendships that will last not only in this life but in the life to come, but so few people even know.
The kingdom of God is at hand, but they see only a shadow, a hint of what is actually happening.
I had someone tell me once that they "did not want" to see the Masters tournament. They did not want to walk on the green grass and see the beauty of the course. They did not want the service and the pleasure of the event. They just would not go if they had the chance.
As for me, I wonder about all the people who say the same to the kingdom of God. One day, they, if His grace does not intervene, will stand aside while the glories of the kingdom are celebrated by the children of the King. As for me, I will be glad to be inside on that day,