I know today is Saturday and usually we take the weekend off knowing that being in God’s house on Sunday is part of every Christian’s game plan. But because of life happening within in my family we missed a day for our conversation. We could have just let the lost day go by and start new next week but getting a full idea of what the real playground is suggests we should leave nothing out...... So here we are on Saturday!
Iona, a regular follower of Morning Glory has also visited the coliseums in Athens and Rome and was truly impressed by their massive structures and the vision of those who built them. She mentioned how unhappy it makes her when so many old structures are torn down only to rebuild the same again, but bigger and more modern to attract the rich and famous. I suppose a lot of these kinds of ‘tear down/rebuild’ periods is because every 100 years there are always new and different people. Some like the old but most like current/modern facilities that suit their tastes. Personally, I like the old structures and the romance of remembrance.
In reading the devotion for our discussion we find that even in Biblical days fun and
games were a part of the daily life of children and adults. As in my youth, these games were part of the creativity of the times. I believe our children today and also the adults are missing out on simple basic facts of life that made life a little more exciting. How many times do we hear some child or young adult say; "I’m bored"! "I’ve got nothing to do"!
When my son and his family moved to Idaho, Faye became a stay at home mom and for a time, she found herself at lose ends. That happens when you are so use to a working routine and environment. One morning, 4 year old, Jordan said; "Let’s go to the mall; you’ll have fun; you’ll see"! Jordan was one of those who could create his own fun and enjoy playing by himself. He was creating in his mind a fun time at the mall; walking; looking and maybe getting something to eat? I understand it worked, because he and his mom went to the mall and had a good time!
There is a lot to say about planning and being creative and there is lot to be said about becoming spontaneous. At the spur of the moment; Let’s go to the beach! How about a little one on one? Good clean fun is designed for having a good time and not becoming negative or a sore loser.
In Genesis 2:26-27 God says; "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness". It goes on to say that man would rule over all that inhabited the earth and that God created both man and female. It is important for us to realize that our God was a creative God! He was a God without measure! He was a God with purpose! When They created man in the beginning, man became the expression of God and therefore we too can be creative. Not to the extent that we can create substance out of absolutely nothing but we can be creative in our thinking, our planning and in our productivity.
What would life be like today without TV, Ipods, cel phones or other finger pushing computer games? What if the movie theaters closed for lack of interest and the corner sandlot had a sign that said; "ball players wanted, age not important"! What if the sports parks were closer to home and the language spoken were not only four letter words but instead filled with laughter and the phrase; "Come on and play with me"! We will always have bullies but even bullies can grow up if they have a little help from those who really know how to enjoy the game.
In Hebrews 12:1b it says; "run with endurance the race that is set before us". Of course Paul is talking about the race in life where we fix our eyes on Jesus who had fixed His eyes on the cross. Although we know that life is not a game to be played randomly, because it is not all fun and games! We do know that In Jesus Christ the prize is not for those who begin the race but for those who run the race with endurance and crosses the finish line. Even if we tear down and then rebuild; "Eternal life is on the other side"! Where will you finish the game? Jane Ann