Ready for the Steeplechase

Couple days ago I was reading Jeremiah 12 when I was struck in my heart by verse 5. It says, "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?" The gist of the verse is that if you can't handle the challenges in your life right now, how will you handle what's coming in the future which could be far difficult?

I think people assume life will get better. It has to get better, I hear often. It can't get any worse. But the honest truth is, it can. God never promised us a life free of challenges, hardship and suffering. He did promise us an abundantly full life. But our life isn't about achieving happiness. It's about glorifying the One True God. In everything we do and say, in every circumstance, we're to glorify Him. Job was a perfect archetype of this. After losing his children, livelihood and servants in one day, he said (Job 1:21b): "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

We are starting a new year. And when a new year starts, the tradition is to make bold resolutions to be better, make better choices, do better things, etc. But the reality is, it may not go that way. Not to be a Debbie-downer, but I believe God has us go through certain experiences in our lives so we are stronger and more able to handle what's next, no matter what it is. And it may be just to give us empathy, grace and a servant's heart for others going through similar circumstances.

I've played the video game Candy Crush for about five years. I'm on level 2384. And every single level is harder than the one before. I cannot tell you how many times I've said, "This is impossible," and then later defeat it. And I often wonder how easy those first hundreds of levels would be if I went back to play them. But the reality is with each difficult level, I get better. And it doesn't hurt that I have a few friends who play the game who are far ahead of me, thus I'm encouraged that I can beat each new level I tackle. Likewise I am encouraged by the cloud of witnesses who have gone before me in this journey called life.

A steeplechase is a horse race over obstacles like fences and bushes. Do you know why it's called a steeplechase? It's because the races, which originated in England, were between towns, over streams, stone walls, etc, running from church steeple to church steeple. The steeples were easy markers to see in each town through the countryside as the finish came closer. What a beautiful metaphor in this race track of life! Lots of obstacles in the way, but achievable when keeping our eyes focused on God!

I have no idea what 2019 holds. I pray it will be a blessed one filled with new adventures and joys. And I also pray, no matter what potential trials, changes and heart-breaking events come, that I will glorify the Father in them, and end up stronger, more determined, more forgiving and more compassionate than I was in 2018. I'm ready for the race.

Addicted

I'm addicted. My friend, Danielle warned me of that before I ever began to play. I didn't heed her warning, and here I am three months and 132 levels later, addicted.

I'm talking about the game Candy Crush. I really enjoy playing this game. It's a great way to pass that lull time - you know, like when you're in the waiting room at the doctor's office. Or when you're on a long car trip (and not the one driving). Or dinner's not quite done and you have a few minutes. Or, dare I say, when you're on the toilet. Of course it's fun to play anytime, not just a lull time. And as addicting as it is, it can suck up hours of it. Thankfully, you've only got 5 lives at a time, so when they're gone, you're done for awhile (unless your sweet precious friends have gifted you lives.)

I commented to another friend recently, "I actually feel smarter after I've played it." I think that's because of the challenge to this game. It changes every level. See, I've played this other game called Bejeweled Blitz, where the goal is to match colored gems to achieve a high score. It never changes. Same game every time. But Candy Crush is different. It has the same "match" aspect, but the goal is different each game. For example, one level you might need to reach 100,000 points in 50 moves. The next you need to score so many points in 120 seconds. In another you need clear the board of "jelly." Don't reach the goal and the "You've failed!" pops up.

I thought once I'd gotten to level 100 the game would end, and here I am at level 132. A friend of mine is as level 233 and I learned there are 440 levels created thus far. I have a long way to go, and sometimes wonder if I'll ever get bored of it. But not yet...

Today I realized something as I was playing. Certain things that have value in the game, can be worthless depending on the goal. If the goal is to get so many points in one game, it may be worthless to clear jelly. If the goal is to bring a couple of pieces of fruit to the bottom of the screen from the top right, matches on the left are worthless. If the goal is to match a striped candy with a sprinkle-covered chocolate truffle, a bunch of powerful wrapped candies with explosive power are ignored. Meet the goal of that level is what gets you to the next ... even if sometimes takes days to achieve it.

It made me think about our goals as Christians. What exactly are we called to do here? According to Scripture we're to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them about Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20). We're to love each other (1 John 4:11). We're to care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). We're to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger and visit the prisoner (Matt. 25:37-40). We're to obey God's commands (Deut. 13:4). We're to love our enemies (Luke 6:35). We're to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). We're to believe in Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43). Those, among others, are the goals of this level here on earth.

The rest of it - money, success, power, fame - is froth. It's not why we're here. It's not the goal of this level. They may be perks. In many instances, may even be hindrances. But our focus needs to be on the goals listed in the paragraph prior, or - like playing Candy Crush - we are truly wasting our time.

I want to be just like Jesus.

It's going to take days - every one He's given me here on earth. Lots of days of "You've failed!" for sure, but I'm going to get there. You will probably not see it while I'm here among you, but Jesus promises to meet me at the gates of Heaven, and it's through Him I will be presented flawless to my Father. Like those sweet friends of mine on Candy Crush - I will be gifted with new life.

That's the goal. And I'm going to keep on trying daily to achieve it. Cause I love Him. I'm ... addicted.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:14.