So many times we think we have this game called life figured out. We think we’re getting ahead, or that our strategy is fool-proof. The problem is though, that we’re playing like we have the greater skill, even though we’re playing the Grandmaster. It’s more like a tutorial, and we’re the student. But we try to act like we know what we’re doing. We don’t want the tips or tricks, because we have it all figured out. Then it happens- our pieces are quickly removed from the game. Each piece being methodically captured, resulting in panic.
This is where I am at, once again. My prize pieces have been slowly and intentionally eliminated. I start to panic, then do what any inexperienced player would do- I call a “Hail Mary” and try to get my pawns to the other side, as I bounce my king around. But every last piece is captured. My own will and independence, we’ll call them Bishop and Queen, are my most prized pieces. But the King, my pride, he’s always the last to go. Checkmate.
Once I’ve lost, I try to make excuses. I was only testing a strategy or I just made one silly mistake. Sometimes I’ll even throw out the excuse that I allowed Him to win to judge His strategy. I expect the Grandmaster to lecture me on where I went wrong or why He chose the order He did for taking out my pieces. Instead, I’m met with a loving gaze. Instead of a lecture, He continues to give me help. Humility slowly sets in.
See, God doesn’t want to embarrass us, but our pride and independence cause us to be humbled. We think we can outsmart God. We often think we know what’s best, even though we’re the beginner and He’s the Master. I’ve been trying to figure things out on my own. I think I can study God’s strategy and get ahead in the game. Eventually, however, I end up in the same place- checkmate. He has to take every single piece in the most agonizing way because I am so stubborn.
So here I am. He’s just called checkmate. Instead of asking for another game, however, this time I want to learn. What is it He has to say? So I sit in silence. I wait for His instruction. As He begins to explain all my strategy flaws, I realize just how wrong I’ve been. I’ve had the whole thing backwards. But God always delivers it in the most loving way. Instead of making me feel like a fool, He makes me feel like a student. He has every right to call out my foolishness, but He doesn’t. He’s always so kind and patient.
So this is my goal: to listen to what He has to say all the way through before asking for a rematch. And when the time comes for a rematch, I’ll remember it’s just practice. I will do my best to learn. Then when I face the real opponents, I’ll have the Grandmaster’s strategy, not my own, to lead with.
