8-26-19<\/p>\n
Oh, yes; God plays games. Not to deceive us, of course. But He is a play-ful God, never think otherwise. Despite the moon-faced Jesus of some movies and Sunday-school calendars, I believe He smiled as much as He rebuked; He wept but He laughed. He was tender with His mother; He gathered children around Him; He welcomed crowds.<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus loves me; this I know.\u201d He doesn\u2019t get there by being stern or vacant. When God created the earth, He paused and \u201csaw that it was good.\u201d Smile!<\/p>\n
God has used \u2013 and still uses \u2013 uncountable ways to instruct us. He shares His will for our lives through inspiration of the Holy Spirit; by Biblical passages; via circumstances. Balaam\u2019s ass, you know the story. Sometimes even people who themselves are\u2026 well, you know, unexpected sources. Hard lessons. \u201cCoincidences,\u201d that some of us recognize afterwards as \u201cGod-incidences.\u201d Sermons. Books. Radio and TV preachers. Song lyrics.<\/p>\n
When God doesn\u2019t<\/em> whisper, sometimes He shouts.<\/p>\n Thinking on these things, I wondered whether we can find Godly messages even in games. Games, that is, that we might re-purpose, to see His<\/em> purpose.<\/p>\n Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n Ready Or Not, Here I Come!<\/em> Can you picture Jesus calling that out? In a very real way, that\u2019s what He said as He emerged from the tomb on Easter Sunday. His mother, and the disciples, hoped for the Resurrection, and vaguely remembered His promise\u2026 yet they were surprised. Were they ready? Are we<\/em> ready? Because the Resurrection was an event at which to marvel, but \u2013 \u201cready or not\u201d \u2013 then there is the life-long obligation to remain joyful, and to follow His commands. Here He Comes!<\/p>\n Tag, You\u2019re It!<\/em> In that game, the rules are strict. As much as you might wiggle or hide or evade, when the leader tags you\u2026 you are it. You know that Jesus seeks you, and soon enough will \u201ctag\u201d you. You\u2019re it!<\/p>\n Leapfrog.<\/em> Do kids play this any more? And maybe it\u2019s a stretch, but let\u2019s compare the jumpers to the challenges in life we have to get over. Isn\u2019t it funny (or not) how every time we overcome the challenge before us, something or someone jumps over us and gets in the way all over again. Gotta keep jumping, running the race, and leaping!<\/p>\n Truth or Dare.<\/em> This is easy. Can you keep secrets from God? Can you avoid His call? Can you avert His gaze? He already knows the Truth about your situation better than you do\u2026 do you dare break the rules?<\/p>\n Rock, Paper, Scissors.<\/em> Um\u2026 whatever configuration, no matter how many do-overs, God always wins. He made<\/em> the rocks, paper, and scissors!<\/p>\n