Life Imitates Art (Romans 1:20)

The recent rains in Southern California are a welcome relief for our drought-stricken land. Many people, including myself, have been praying for rain. But I am also keenly aware that while some rain is welcome, too much rain can also be a disaster.

Back in 2006, the islands of Hawaii experienced an unprecedented 40 days of rain, evoking ominous Biblical comparisons. Numerous businesses were affected. One popular shopping mall, located near my childhood home, had to shut down because of flooding. My sister related an eye-witness account of a friend who was sitting in the movie theater viewing a film when water started rushing in. Thankfully no one was injured but the experience was certainly unnerving. I can only imagine the horror that the movie patrons experienced if they were watching a movie like The Titanic and water began accumulating around their seats!

Life imitates art-sometimes the reality of life breaks into our times of mental escape. Movies, plays, and amusement parks all serve to enable us to experience events that we would probably never wish to truly encounter. Thus, when something occurs, that is reminiscent of a fictional event, it captures and arrests our attention.

When Jesus was resurrected and raised from the dead by God, the Father, it was the single most arresting event in the history of the universe. It was not a fantastic story written by an imaginative playwright. It was not a wishful thinking of dejected disciples. It was not art. It was life. It was a riveting reality, more true than the most incredible story anyone could ever believe.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 (ESV)

Life sometimes imitates art. But when we are faced with the true reality of Jesus Christ, our lives should imitate Him. God has created us so that our very being knows this reality. For in Him and through Him we have salvation.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.