Imagine for a moment that our Christianity is like this huge board game. As we assume our position of humility we are handed a leather bound book of rules. At first we are very careful because we sense that the Father is standing over us watching how the game progresses. But as the game gets more and more involved we become less conscious of Him, and of the finer points of the rule book.

There are all types in the game; the ultra competitive; the take it or leave it types; cheaters. Some do quite well in the game; they do all the right moves; jumping and rolling the dice and collecting the tokens. But some are not so good at the game. Before long they look down at the carpet and everyone else has their tokens. Near broke they look upward trying to examine the Fathers response to their failures.

Meanwhile the game rages on; they have broken up into teams and there is shouting and pointing fingers; cries of various violations of the rules Tokens are flying everywhere. Some give up on the game and leave. Others stay in but only half heartedly participate. While others play as if ‘winning’ the game was the only thing happening in the universe.

Finally the game is over. The victorious team is exultant; jumping and patting each other on the back; raising their index finger, chanting, “We’re number one, we’re number one!”

But the losers, they are still on their knees. All they can think about are their losses, and how they failed the One who gave them the rule book, and the opportunity to play. There are some good sports on the winning side, they're found consoling and encouraging those that have not done so well.

After some time a voice is heard from the Father, “ Children, some of you, so intent on winning, have forgotten the spirit of the game and what the game is meant to be, and what it is to teach. It is not about gaining tokens and becoming first. I am more concerned with ‘how’ you play the game than weather you finish ahead of another. This is an important point that you have missed, because ‘How’ always wins over ‘what’. I must conclude therefore, that those of you who are standing join those on the floor. Please read 1 Cor.13 in your rule book and play again.”

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