Were you ever so excited to receive a gift that you just could wait to get it opened and begin using? You tear into it as fast as you can. You pull and shred, rip and strip. Then you hold it in your hands. But without taking any time to understand how to use the gift, you start using it, only to find out that had you taken the time to read the instruction you get more out of your gift...

I remember the Christmas I opened the Star Wars, Ewok Village. It was one of those gifts that I just had to have. Being a big Star Wars fan, the Ewok Village was the perfect playset. 

I remember tearing into the box, ripping it open and yanking everything out. The problem was, some assembly required. Parts of the village had to be put together. Knots needed to be tied, stickers needed to be applied, elevators needed to be built, and instructions to be read.

Sadly, I didn't learn. Over the years there have been plenty of opportunities to slow down and follow the instructions. But my impatience, and more often stubbornness, led me to the familiar territory of regret and disappointment. If only I had followed the instructions, I would think, maybe some of this could have been avoided.

Have you ever felt that way?

I wonder if Adam ever thought that way. While plowing the rocky fields, pulling weeds, or digging up thorns, did Adam ever say to himself, If I had only followed God's instructions, maybe...

You see, in Genesis 2, God gives the man, Adam, the instructions. Having placed Adam inthe Garden, God says, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." ( Genesis 2:16&17 NIV) Adam was given the opportunity to eat freely from all that the Garden had to offer. Every plant, bush and tree, if it was edible or grew something edible, he could eat it. All of it was his. All of it, except for this one unique tree; the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  This tree was off limits.

Unfortunately it was simply a matter of time. The evil one came along and tricked the man and he ate the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And from that moment on, we have been living in regret because we have chosen to not follow the instructions.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

We celebrate Christmas because of what Christmas means for us; HOPE! Our hope is found in Jesus! Why? Because he does for us what we can't do for ourselves! He follows the instructions, that we can't follow on our own. Jesus was perfectly obedient to his Father, right up to the end. And because he did, our mistakes that come because we have failed to follow the instruction are set right.

The Apostle Paul said it this way, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 NIV) 

These verses aren't the easiest to read. Frankly, they can be a bit confusing. But when we slow down and read them carefully, we find the incredible gift of God's forgiveness and grace! Basicly Paul's saying, Adam, when he chose to be disobedient, messed things up for everyone. Sin became a reality. That sin, which we all carry, leads to death. But Jesus, chose to be obedient. That obedience led him to willingly lie down his life, covering over the disobedience, bringing righteousness back to men.

So now when we say, I believe that Jesus died for our my sins, and I accept him into my life as my Lord and Savior, his perfect obedience makes us right in the sight of God and brings us into eternal life.

On that first Christmas morn, God gave us a gift. That gift grew up to died to give us life. Not just life for the here and now, but life that  goes on for ever and ever and ever. And now, when we find ourselves rushing into circumstances without slowing down to follow the instructions, it's not death, but forgiveness and grace we meet on the other side.

As you prepare your heart this Christmas, slow down and remember. Look for times when following the instructions seemed like a waste of time and you ventured out on your own only to find that you put the stickers in the wrong spot. Remind yourself, God's grace is big enough for even that! Because that kind of grace leaves me in awe and wonder. How about you?

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you'll know that I am a big Star Wars fan. Have been since I was a kid. And now that Disney and Lucas Film are committed to making a number of new Star Wars movies, well, I am beyond stoked!

Coming to theaters this weekend, Friday, December 16, 2016, is the newest installment of the Star Wars universe, Rogue One, A Star Wars Story. I have been watching trailers, checking out various fan vlogs and following updates and special announcements froms a far, far away galaxy.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am.
So this week, I plan on post just a for, Star Wars themed post to help
countdown the final days before release date.

For the first post, I'm sharing two great vlog posts from Colin Furze. Colin and his team construct replica of the new AT-ACT. It's an amazing build!

First, watch his Building a HUGE Star Wars AT-AT post.
See the behind-scene work that went into the build.
​Then watch the follow up post of the completed AT-ACT

Alright, that was pretty amazing. But now, let's watch the reveal vlog
of the Giant Star Wars At-ACT Garden Den/Playhouse.

Awesome, right?
I mean, serioulsy, that things is awesome.
I have the property...I wonder if I'd be able to build one?

Rogue One, A Star Wars Story comes out this week, Friday, December 16th!
You can visit the official Rogue One website by clicking on the button below.

So are you ready for Rogue One? Will you be racing out to the theater this weekend? Or will you wait a couple of weeks for the hype to die down? What are you looking forward too most?

What do you think about the Giant AT-ACT playhouse?

Share your thoughts below in the comment section.
And watch for more Rogue One Countdown posts!

- jay -