Last Wednesday night I taught a Bible study which took its analogy from playing a game. To truly enjoy a game and to have a chance of winning, there are some critical factors to consider.
First, you have to decide to play the game. Choosing a new game and expecting to win right away can be frustrating - for you and your partners - but allowing for the learning curve and reading the game's manual will be invaluable helps as you begin. So, deciding to play or not is your first decision. Are you a spectator or a player? It's a choice you alone can make!
Second, you have to play by the rules. If someone is cheating it takes all the fun out of playing. And if you don't know the rules, things can get really aggravating really fast. Rules are meant to help, not hinder.
Thirdly, choice of partners is crucial. Incompetent play ruins the game for everyone! You need to have the same strategies and goals for a partnership to be successful!
Fourth is the importance of attitude...My mom's frustration was playing with laid-back partners. "If you don't care who wins, why play?" If you're out to just have fun but your partner is cut-throat, it will not be very enjoyable. Competition is a good thing within reason but when it turns harsh or judgmental, the stress to win becomes too important. Better to decide why you're playing before you start or it can be disaster.
Strategy and patience are also important to some games. Making wise moves, planning ahead, analyzing the others' moves - all these things are critical in playing many different types of games. Careless moves can lead to quick defeat and lack of strategizing has ended many "battles". Patience and thought are required to get the winning edge.
Lastly, losing doesn't mean you're a loser. We all win and we all lose sometimes. Even professionals have their "off" days so don't judge yourself by your victories or defeats. Those are meaningless standards!
While life is not really a game, the analogies are pretty clear. In order to be successful in our Christian life, we have to study our manual (the Bible) and choose to participate by accepting the challenge of walking with Him! We have to learn the "rules" that God has laid out for our benefit and study to "show ourselves approved." We also have to choose good partners (in marriage, in fellowship, in church) that will aid us, advise us, keep us accountable, and help us when we make poor choices. We have to be serious about our walk with God, knowing that our adversary is playing for keeps. We also have to take every thought captive and use the wisdom God provides to avoid pitfalls or hasty decisions. And we need to remember that we will never be perfect until God decides to call us home. If we can win a little more often than we lose, and get a little better at making decisions along the way, then we are ahead of the game and God, the ultimate judge, will be pleased.
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