Last night while dinner was cooking, Preacherman and I sat down at the table to play a game of Farkle. Before long we were joined by our children. Rockstar had a tremendous streak of luck and could roll high numbers with one toss of the dice. Crazy Horse was not as fortunate at the start of the game. Crazy Horse soon took on the "I'm bored, this is no fun" attitude at the thought that her little sister was going to beat her (and the rest of us) in record time. Rockstar on the other hand, was so excited to roll the dice that many times she chose to roll the dice and forfeit large scores that added together would have quickly ended our game. As the game continued, Crazy Horse banked some conservative scores and also hit a few big ones. Before long Preacherman, Rockstar and Crazy Horse were all tied. As the game was nearing the end the attitudes had made a complete flip. Rockstar was now singing the blues and Crazy Horse was elated to be in position to win the game. In the end, Crazy Horse won the game in record fashion that no one could match. Rockstar had much difficulty in losing and the realization that she lost the game largely in part because she liked to roll the dice. Preacherman and I tried to reel in the team to the truth that it is only a game and it is meant for family fun. After a few tears and a couple hugs everything returned to what we have come to call normal.
This morning I was thinking of our little game last night and the reality that our lives are much like that game. We all make choices, some are good and some not-so-good. Each time our turn doesn't provide the expected outcome we must choose our next move. Do we continue to dwell in the last not-so-good play or do we look forward to our next turn in anticipation that it will be better? Maybe life as we know it really is "just a game." Sometimes good things happen. Sometimes not-so-good things happen. Sometimes we made the choice that created the outcome. Sometimes it was just "luck". Which ever way the ups and downs come, our response to the ups and downs remains our choice. The game of life has one big difference. In the end, each one who knows Jesus as Lord and Savior WINS the game. Since the "winning" is not a result of how well we played the game, I think the important part of this game of life is our response along the roller-coaster to eternal life. Did people recognize our game was different? Did we invite others to join our winning game? Did the choices we made throughout our game reflect the sacrificial choice Christ made for us? Maybe we should be less concerned about bringing our "A-game" and more concerned we are bringing our "J-game".
Time to go get my game on...until next time...pray hard, play well and praise HIM!
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
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