The game Monopoly was invented during the Great Depression to provide
entertainment for those in need of a way to get some escape from reality.
Actually, even though it is just a game, it is fun to buy and sell, to get $200
for just passing go, and to beat whoever you are playing against. You do play
to win, don't you? And when played during a time when joy was being robbed from
daily life, it was an escape to a dream of money, power, and control-at least
while playing. Then back to real life which seems to interfere more and more
with our daily dreams.
But even in Monopoly, you have to follow certain rules. You must own all
the properties in the color group before you can build. And like real life, you
must have houses before you can turn them into hotels. So there is a process
that you must follow, and a risk you must take. Buy the most, and you risk the
most. But buy the least, and you also risk the most. Funny how both ends of
the playing spectrum of a game have the greatest risk.
We are told to work out our salvation daily with fear and trembling. Not
to be saved, but to grow in our relationship with God. Salvation is a one time,
irrevocable event. But life is a daily one, and every day provides new
challenges, just like spinning the dice on Monopoly. And just because you are
holding the dice, doesn't give you any more power, once they are thrown, you
must follow how many spaces they tell you to go. And the longer you play, the
less control you have. You go from do I buy or not, to how much do I owe you
for rent, or I already own that. And although we all start with the same money,
and no properties, the more involved we get, the more it demands from us. Until
sometimes frustration wins, and we all quit-and start over.
Riding a motorcycle is like that. Just because you have taken a course, or
think you can ride because you passed the licensing test, doesn't mean you can
ride. A new bike doesn't give you more skills, but can hurt worse when you dump
it, and all new riders will fall at some point. You can't teach experience, but
you can ride more, and gain it. Theresa started in parking lots after she got
her license after taking the riding course. Parking lots are the worst place to
ride, she soon found out. Then it was up old 395, never going above 55. Then
the freeway, trying to not get run over by doing the speed limit. Then pretty
soon she was staying up with traffic going 85 mph, and riding to San Francisco.
As her experience grew, she wanted to go more places. And see more things, and
along the way became a better rider while gaining experience. And the joy of
life increased-called blessings.
That is why scripture tells us to work out daily with God. The more time
you spend with Him, the more of Him you want. You go from trusting Jesus with
just a little faith, to wanting Him in all your life. But it takes a
commitment, and as you get closer to Him, soon you think like Him. And what was
once faith, is now obedience. And unlike Monopoly, when you don't like how the
game is going, you don't give in. He will take you past Boardwalk, and get you
the $200 for passing go-in other words, He will provide as He guides. And just
as you ride more your skills are sharpened, as you get closer to God, you see
things through His eyes, and learn how to see what is up ahead, and plan
accordingly.
We are all on a different level with God. Some are Monopoly masters, and
think they know how to play the game. Some of us have ridden enough miles we
think we can handle anything. But without God we are fair game for any
disaster. So give in to Him today. Life is not a roll of the dice, and someone
will always land on your most expensive rent some day-if you don't land on
theirs first. Trust God! Whether playing the game of life, or riding through
it, stick with Him. Don't trust to luck as some do, and stick with Him when the
going gets tough.
For when the going gets tough, the tough trust Jesus. Your lifetime
partner, who works out life situations with you. And then allows you to share
them with someone else later with the same problem. So get out into the game of
life, and begin living! Don't just be a spectator, but participate. Play the
game for all it's worth, and play it to win. You may not live on Park Place,
but you can live like it. And next time take a longer ride. See things you
have only heard about, and see them for yourself. With Jesus. He makes it
personal. Grow with Him, and experience life like owning Boardwalk and Park
Place. Rather than landing on it.
And ride seeing the road through His eyes. You can't teach experience, but
you can live it today. And tomorrow. More than a game, it is life. And more
than collecting money for surviving a trip around the board and passing go, He
adds life to your trip. The blessings are awaiting those who take advantage of
them. Grow in Christ, a whole new world awaits you. So whether twisting the
throttle, or throwing the dice, experience Jesus. And you thought life was just
a game.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com