The Sweet Life

This past week we marked nine years playing live poker, mostly in tournaments. We've had some modest successes, reached a large percentage of final tables and won money from time to time.

Most recently, we've won a few small pieces of candy. The Tournament Director at Yvie's throws them on the table every time the blinds go up. Whoever wins the next pot takes the candy as a bonus.

We're not sure why he was inspired to do this. After all, a mini-candy bar at a place serving burgers and beer doesn't amount to much. For us, we're looking for a reward that's far sweeter than that:

In fact, Christ thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. For people who are being saved, this perfume has a sweet smell and leads them to a better life. But for people are lost, it has a bad smell and leads them to a horrible death. - II Corinthians 2:15-16 (CEV)

This is NOT about wearing cologne to the poker room. This is about setting a proper example to people around us - and that example can rub different people in different ways.

Take the example of Jesus Christ. He attracted a following, as He told off religious leaders and performed miracles. But it also led some people to conspire for His death.

...But we preach Christ crucified: a stumblingblock to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - I Corinthians 1:23-24

We try to be a sweet example for God wherever we play poker. And we realize that might annoy some people - especially when we dare to bring up the things of God and Christ. Yet....

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - I Corinthians 1:18 

Given the consequences of that verse - "perishing" vs. "being saved" - how "sweet" are God and Jesus to you?