Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Game of Life



There are those who consider that the whole of life is nothing more than a game. For them, every activity is a game; to participate is more important than winning, because they seldom win; they simply survive for another game. Some play cricket, and play fairly; others doctor the ball, cheat and hope the umpire does not catch them out. Ultimately, the big game which is comprised of thousands of smaller ones comes to end, and the players are no more, or so they think. They forget that every decision and every action have their consequences – a lesson they should have learned when playing small games. Surely they must know there’s a price to pay when a bad choice is made; there is always a loss when a slip occurs, and when there is a foul a free kick is given, but when a game is played fairly and won, the victor receives his crown.


An athlete must run* as if he is already the winner, but without preparation, without training, without practice there is no hope. He cannot possibly win. There can only be one winner of a race, i.e., the fastest who endures to the end with earnest dedication and anticipation.


Is the game worth playing? Most definitely yes, when played honourably and for the right reason. Cheats, thieves, and sluggards can never win, because they do not play by the rules. The Ultimate Referee is also the Judge with x-ray eyes and the One who makes the rules for those who will receive the prize and also for those who won’t.


*1 Corinthians 9:24-27



Links


England Test: Rain stops play on Day 1; Eng 75/0


http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_live-new-match-old-story-cook-strauss-raise-75-before-lunch_1577166


Ball Tampering


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_tampering


The Rules of Chess

http://www.chessvariants.com/d.chess/chess.html

2 comments:

Patrick Hay said...

If only all sermons were as short and to the point.

William Serjeant said...

Patrick,

That’s a valid comment regarding sermons in general; no one wants to listen to needlessly long repetitive exhortations for one to be a better Christian, and for those who are not Christians, a long series of admonitions as to their failings and weaknesses does nothing to bolster their self-esteem or encourage them to seek after Christ.

A short, pithy sermon with one or two vital messages is likely to be remembered and acted upon.

Bill.