His Game

This week at bible study, I challenged the ladies to think outside the box. Yep, put on that creative hat, and ‘create’. On each table was a piece of paper filled with graphics, a pair of dice, some 3×5 cards, and two different colored plastic army men, (borrowed from my youngest son).

The gals were to work as a team, nine teams, nine tables in all. What were they creating? A game, a board game of sorts.  THEY had to come up with the starting point, the goal, the rules, figure out the course of the game, the objectives, the stumbling blocks, and the rewards. The cool part was they only had 5 – 10 minutes to do so. You guessed it, moanings and groanings escaped from their lips. I HEARD that!   However ~ when the time began, they got really into it!

After the allotted time, I told them ‘pencils down, time to share!‘ I asked the ladies, ‘when I first gave you the instructions what were your feelings, what emotion did you experience’? ‘Frustration’ was blurted out… ‘annoyance’ … one gal said ‘PANIC !’   We then went around the room and shared the games they created, what a variety. These gals can play games! There were treasure hunts, survival games, a couple with military themes, one game was titled ‘Freedom’, LOVE IT!   You can imagine the wonderful discussion we had over this, as we thought through the steps of the game, finding it difficult to determine how one wins the game, and clearly defining the rules. .

You ask, ‘what was the purpose of this little exercise?’   This week, in our homework we looked at the blessings of God, also the fear of God and obedience to Him, how they all tie into one another other. My thoughts went to: how often we ‘try’ to change the rules at times in this game called life.   How would it be if WE had to come up with the game plan, define the rules, and consider who ‘wins’. My ladies found out just how hard it was (is).

The course we run, the game we play (to help paint a picture) is designed by God. His objectives, His rules, His rewards. SO glad it is His job. No matter how hard I try, that job description still does not fit on my head along with the other hats I wear. I know what you are thinking, what about those times the game path is uncertain, we role the dice, there is freedom to go either way on the board. Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him (KNOW Him), and He will make your paths straight’, (emphasis mine).

We choose God, His plan, His rules, and receive His rewards! Consider the strong words spoken by the LORD in Jeremiah (29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’. Oh we CAN’T stop there . verses 12-14 ‘Then you will call upon Me, and come and pray, and I will listen to you, You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD …’

The game is set, His game.  Play according to the rules ~ trust, seek, know, call, and pray ~>  HIM and you WIN!  \o/

In Him, DeDe (Ps. 92:4 ‘You thrill me, LORD…’)