IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Andy loved to play chess with me, though he never won. One day we heard about a rated chess master who was going to be nearby for a simultaneous exhibition. In a “simul” the master plays against many opponents all at the same time, making his move then proceeding to the next board in a rotation. Andy and I signed up to play. There were about 25 boards, and once play began it proceeded rapidly. The master only spent seconds at your board, made his move, and moved to the next board. Before you had much time to consider your next move he was back at your board, and you had to have made your move. I believe I lasted less than 10 moves. And Andy? He won! Apparently, his unorthodox play bumfuzzled the chess master.

The true Christian life is like that. We play by unorthodox rules, like “… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), “… overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21), living by such virtues as listed in Philippians 4:8, and many more. We often seem to “lose” in this life against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. But playing by God’s rules results in eternal rewards that will be well worth it. Let your unorthodox “play” bumfuzzle the world!

Jeffrey Eno