When the Master Walks In

One of the fun things about poker is that anyone can walk into a tournament, plunk down the buy-in fee (or even play for free) and become a winner.  Anyone.

Just ask Phil Hellmuth. He walked into an American Legion post in Michigan the other night, and joined the usual players for a cash game. Hellmuth clearly didn't take the night off, because he left with about $400.

A game manager says he doubts the other players went home upset, because "they lost to a master." But c'mon now - wouldn't you have a little extra incentive to win pots, if you know a WSOP bracelet winner was sitting across from you?

All our poker games should work that way.  In fact, our lives away from poker should work that way. Because whether you realize it or not, a "Master" is always watching:

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth.... - Psalm 33:13-14

One old hymn adds these words to those verses: "He sees their sin, He sees their works...." In short, God sees it all. And Jesus someday will judge it all -- as "the Master" of all things will not simply walk the Earth again, but return with power.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. - Colossians 4:1

Jesus Christ will come soon to judge all of us (Revelation 20:11-13). We're all sinners, of course; we can't win a "righteousness race" with a perfect Savior.  But are you "playing" your best and living your best, with that time in mind - hoping to win a reward from Jesus when the time comes?