The Life-Sucking Game of the Enemy

“I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 7:35 NIV

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The enemy of our soul loves games. I picture him having a hall closet piled high, like we do, with assorted boxes and baskets filled with his favorite games like, Pathetic Perfection, Sold Out for Significance, Marriage Mayhem, or even Hate, Lies, and Humanity.

 

Whatever games he’s got, there are plenty of people playing. But I think there’s one game that’s more devious and deceptive than all the rest.

 

It’s called Distraction, and we’ve all played it.

 

Some of us play for a lifetime without notice. Some play for years until our “game board” is flipped over, and we’re pulled out of our stupor. Others still, play with the full knowledge of its power, but are unable – or unwilling, to reach beyond its hold.

 

Distraction is a slow and subtle game. It reminds me of how spider webs “emerge” on a rarely used garden bench. The creators of these weavings work in the shadows, but day by day, the bench is consumed.

 

But there comes a time when Distraction bores us just enough that the memory of our long-forgotten bench makes it to the forefront of our mind.

 

We remember the peace and freedom we felt sitting there in the midst of creation and God. Suddenly, we have a desire to renew our relationship with that old bench, and hopefully with our Maker, so we head for the corner of the yard where it dwells…

 

A heavy sigh escapes when we see what’s become of it.

 

Crawling critters have woven silken blankets in the nooks of its wooden frame. A bird, or two, or maybe a flock have managed to find time to rest here in our absence, having left “gifts” of gratitude along the backrest.

 

What shall we do? Turn around and head back to Distraction, leaving our bench to decay? Or do we clear it off, take a seat, and invite our Father to the space next to us?

 

The decision doesn’t come as easy as it should.

 

Distraction lulls us to an easier life. Here we can pretend, play, battle, or build without any fear of real failure. And though a nagging voice calls us to reality, we somehow have powers to squash it like nothing else.

 

Each day we feel a bit more empty – useless, but we don’t want to think about that, so we bury ourselves further in this life-sucking game.

 

But, as we look at the bench, we see something magnificent about it. Despite it’s shabby looks, the bench still stands. It’s strength still holds, and time and conditions have not wavered its purpose.

 

It’s steadfast, resilient, and faithful.

 

The bench is not a god, but it’s a place where we can meet our God.

 

It will take work to unearth it. Our back might ache, and a splinter might pierce us as we seek to reclaim what was lost. But when we do, we are free to rest upon it, breathing in the sweet fragrance of life and Jesus.

 

Go. Sit. Be restored. Allow yourself to be distracted by His presence.

 

He’s waiting!

 

Verses to Ponder…

 

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” – Psalm 86:11

 

“They will return…and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them…then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – Ezekiel 11:18-20