Rules of the Game

In every game (sports, video, card, board, etc.) there are rules. They are to ensure that the game is played fairly for everyone. These rules, written or unwritten, define the very nature of the game which the players must agree to.  

Rules should not be changed in the middle of the game. Why not? Because there would be confusion. Who will change what? Will everyone agree? 

In this age of diversity and inclusion, rules laid down in ancient times are being changed. 

Because of diversity (differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, etc.), many people think that everyone’s worth and dignity must be included in the fold. An inclusive organization, for instance, promotes and respects all these differences. 

To recognize diversity, rules are being bended beyond belief. What were once wrong are right today. Abortion is now legal in many parts of the world, so is same-sex marriage. 

 

But going back to when the rules were set, this was what the Lord said, “Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.”  (Deuteronomy 4:2 NLT) 

The ten commandments are the rules of the game called life on earth—then and now. 

 

   

Jesus confirms this in Matthew 5:17-18, “. . . I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. . . until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” 

I believe that no rule in the Bible should ever be changed at any point in our lives. We need to remain steadfast as the world alters God’s rules to suit people’s purposes.  

Team Building

Team building events in many businesses are so important that the organization spends a lot of money just to mount one, usually in a luxurious resort/place away from the office.  What do these companies expect to gain from these activities? 

According to Denver, a CEO, team building activities have helped his company grow. He gave three reasons why:  

1) They increase productivity, because they are organized to accomplish a goal through collaborative work. 

   

2) They improve communication. Within a controlled environment, minus workplace demands, the participants are more open to each other and become closer. 

3) They develop problem-solving skills, because the exercises simulate problems that must be solved. These can eventually be practiced in the workplace.  

 

"After every team building event," Denver added, "I could actually feel pulses beating faster, enthusiasm doubling or tripling, efficiency reaching its peak, and relationships flourishing. That's why team building is a priority in our company's expense budget. The ROI is worth it.”      

Team building in the family of Christ is a must. 

Our goal as believers is to come together so that we could encourage and help each other. "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT)

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

One of our elders in church commended the women’s group, “Your activities—Sunday  school, prayer sessions, and cottage group ministries—are excellent for meet-ups with fellow believers. My wife repeatedly tells me how blessed she is with the sharing of God’s grace in your lives to build each other up.”   

We all know that a day will come when our life on earth will end. Until then, let’s spur each other on.

Second Opinion

 Intestinal gas had always been Yoly’s problem. All she would do was take an antacid pill and the pain would be gone in minutes. This time around, however, no antacid worked.  In fact, the pain in the pit of her tummy was so unbearable she went to see a doctor.  

“Ultrasound,” the doctor ordered. “I want to know where the pain is coming from.” 

The ultrasound revealed a mass in her intestine, so the doctor required biopsy, which would confine Yoly in the hospital.  

Yoly was not convinced so she sought out a second opinion. 

After reading Yoly’s ultrasound, the second doctor said all the things Yoly wanted to hear: change of diet and medication for two weeks. 

In two weeks, Yoly’s pain subsided, but in another month, she was fighting for her life in the hospital: pancreatic cancer, just as the first doctor suspected.  

Research reveals that many people, like Yoly, seek out information that supports their position. We have our own idea about what ails us, so we avoid people who challenge our opinion. We avoid wise advice if it isn’t what we want to hear.  

Such is the experience of many Christians today. Scripture is clear, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT) 

“I’ve tried sharing this message to someone dear a few times,” a frustrated friend complained to her dad, “but he asserts another opinion that justifies his way of life.”  

Her dad replied calmly, “As boundless as God’s grace is, our perseverance should likewise be the same. We should keep trying . . . and trying . . . and trying to help an unbeliever find the gateway to life.” Amen. 

Ice bags

My friend shared with me this anecdote about her 80-year-old mother, who always wore, indoors or outdoors, oversized sunglasses.  

“Why do you keep wearing those? Don’t they feel uncomfortable?” she asked her mom. 

“The most uncomfortable things in the world,” her mom replied, joking. “But I keep them on to cover my ice bags.” 

They both laughed at her pun. 

Like wrinkles and crow’s feet, bags under the eyes appear as people age. Over the years, the tissues around our eyes, including some of the muscles supporting our eyelids, weaken. According to doctors, the normal fat that helps support the eyes move into the lower eyelids, causing the lids to appear puffy.  Hence, “ice bags.” 

Trying to maintain a façade of perfection to still be perceived as looking-forever-young does not encourage others to be transparent with their lives. It’s like seeing images of people—on social media—looking better or younger than they actually do in person. 

This kind of “hiding” parallels our spiritual journey, where the only things we show the world are the best of us. This cannot help build up fellow travelers. But sharing our imperfect lives, and when we are a bit more transparent about our failings, we may find people who are struggling in similar ways.  

As we accept our own inadequacy and strip away any pretense, God is able to use us more fully to help others. Apostle Paul said, “. . . I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT) He is an ideal role model! 

God’s grace does not include a mask that shows the world a perpetually rosy picture. So, Like Paul, we need to be transparent, show the real us, to influence others to trust God with their imperfections, too. 

Kidnap for Ransom

Kidnappers choose victims who they think can afford to pay a ransom.

A recent case of kidnap for ransom (2019), reported in newspapers and on TV, happened near Monterrey, Mexico. It involved American Shane Andersen, who moved there to open a chain of pizzerias. 

Anderson and a friend were going fishing when a truck—with three young men carrying  rifles—pulled up and kidnapped them. During their captivity, Anderson was in constant prayer and constant fear. The kidnappers demanded $20,000 for his ransom, and negotiated with his co-worker for an expensive family car in exchange for his life. 

During the ordeal, Andersen’s friend was able to escape. Now left alone with the kidnappers, Andersen knew that God was with him when a young boy, whom he befriended, pleaded to the kidnappers to spare their captive’s life during the negotiation process.

In all, the kidnappers were paid $6,000 by Anderson’s boss. In addition, Andersen gave his wedding ring valued at $7,000. Andersen’s new young friend helped him get to a nearby city. In just over 36 hours, God delivered Andersen safely home.  

The kidnappers priced Andersen’s life at $13,000. That’s a pittance compared to the value God places on each of us. Our worth is not measured in terms of money but by Jesus’ sublime act of grace on our behalf.   

“. . . God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)

That is how much we are worth to God. He paid a ransom nobody could ever think of or afford to give. He gave us His life.  

Going Solo

“Try to come home before the sun sets,” Lita’s father reminded her. “It is raining and it’s dangerous driving alone on slippery roads at night.” 

“I’ll try, Dad,” Lita said.  

Sunset came too soon. When Lita was finally able to leave the party, it was close to midnight. The highway was indeed slippery as the rain continued to pour.  

Suddenly, Lita heard and felt a thump and vibration. “Flat tire!” 

This was followed by a loud flapping noise. Her steering wheel pulled to the right and it took mighty effort to get her car to the curb. Dear God, she whispered. How was she going to manage changing tires alone? 

She decided to stay inside and prayed for a kind soul to help her. Not one, but two kind young men in another car stopped. They were strangers but they were full of compassion and willing to help. All she could do was hold her umbrella over them as they changed her tire under the pelting rain. 

Don’t those two young men remind you of Aaron and Hur, who helped Moses at a critical hour? We read in Exodus 17:8-13 that the Israelites were in battle. “As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage." 

Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands.” In the end, the Israelites won the battle.  

We cannot go solo in following God. We need our faith brethren in church or wherever they may be, to help us persevere through difficulty. 

In the same manner, we could be Aaron and Hur in upholding someone who needs help.  

photo credit

The Thief of Joy

"What is the thief of joy?” I asked this in the context of Marketing in my Consumer Behaviour class.  

The answer of course is “comparison.” 

If you thought you got a good price for an apple at P10.00, you feel content and joyful. However, if your neighbor shows you exactly the same kind of apple and says, “Hey look! I got this on sale for only P8.00!” 

Your joy is suddenly seized from you. 

Marketers study consumer behaviour closely so they can craft a good, competitive strategy. In purchasing anything, consumers find joy in a brand that is “er” (better, cheaper, bigger, etc.) than others. No wonder Theodore Roosevelt is often quoted by Marketing students.  

In the context of life, however, comparison degenerates to envy, jealousy, anger, fear, insecurity, bitterness, plus all the emotions that are the opposite of joy. 

Comparison becomes competition—we feed our ego, grab selfish ambition, and breed conceit to be above others. 

This is a classic example: when our former President was being compared with then VP Leni in helping people in need, he went berserk and castigated her, “Do not compete with me!” and uttered words I dare not repeat.   

What does Scripture tell us about comparison? 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV) 

As we continue to rejoice in the Grace birthed on Christmas, and the salvation He gifted mankind, may we be grateful for our blessings. 

Humility will guard our joy, so it may not be filched by a thief called comparison.