Is life just a game?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

Sports games and competitions are very important to many people. Still, others think they are only games and so don't get too serious about them.

It got me thinking! Is life just a game? From one angle, the answer is no, it is not, and it's a very serious undertaking. You only get one run of it, so don't mess it up. The Lord Jesus warned people about wasting their lives when He said, 'And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?', Mark 8. 36, NLT. You were created to know God, and without Him, this life and the next will be very pointless and hopeless.

Yet, there's a certain truth in the notion that life is akin to a game. Just as games are meticulously planned, so too is our life. The Bible teaches that our existence is not a haphazard occurrence, but a purposeful design. Each of us is a unique creation, born with the mission to know our creator, God. As Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly' (John 10. 10).

World Events

World events rush upon us and often take us by surprise. As a Christian I believe that everything is moving towards end times and that events described in the Bible will come to pass eventually. It was thousands of years between the initial promises of a Saviour (Genesis 3:15) and the coming of Jesus of Nazareth but this plus the fulfilment of other prophecies (see Daniel 2 and 7 for an example) give me the confidence that God's word will always be seen to be authentic in the end and will always be fulfilled.

I do not know (not being a prophet) how this emerging conflict between Israel and Iran will turn out and I do not necessarily agree with everything they have done in the last few years. I do, however, see that things are gathering pace and Biblical prophecy is nearing fulfilment.

In light of current world events we all need to be aware that time for all of us is running out. Time is a limited commodity not just in terms of what we can do in any 24 period but in terms of our life span. This means we need to take a relationship with God (or the lack of it) seriously.

Let me leave a few verses from the Bible with you that emphasis the urgency of getting your sins forgiven and being right with God before your life in this world ends.

 for He says,

“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,

AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”

Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”

2 Corinthians 6.2

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13.11,12

While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Thess 5.3-8 (this is written to and about Christians)

Please, please, think seriously about you spiritual condition and your need of salvation. This is biggest issue that you will ever consider.

Visit my website www.seekthetruth.org.uk for more information.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

The advantages of getting older

Some people have good physical and mental health well into old age, but we are all different, and for many, these latter years can be a struggle. However, there are some advantages to growing older. I am writing to highlight these benefits to the individual and the wider society. 

Time to Think

In our busy lives, deep reflection often takes a backseat but taking time to think is crucial for effective decision-making, and certain jobs naturally provide more time for contemplation, such as those that involve long-distance travel. Unfortunately, some people choose to avoid deep thinking about life and continually focus on the day-to-day grind. The Bible encourages both the young and old to consider life’s deeper issues. The wise sage Solomon wrote, "Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth," and Paul the Apostle said, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel," Thinking is not wasted time if it leads to wise decisions and positive actions.

If you have not considered "the God question" or the afterlife, now may be the time to reflect on these matters before it's too late.

Is common courtesy common in the UK?

When I wrote this, I had just boarded a flight from Entebbe, Uganda, to Doha on my way home to Liverpool via Manchester. As some of you know, I have worked with a group of Christian churches in Eastern Uganda for the last four years. I try to visit them once a year, have weekly online Bible studies with them, and help co-host a weekly radio program. Every time I leave Uganda, some impressions are reinforced, and fresh impressions are made. For instance, I am always impressed by how gentle and courteous the average Ugandan is (apart from when they are driving, which is another story). Courtesy is a wonderful trait that doesn't cost you anything. In Uganda, it is normal for a child or a young person to shake hands (often using two hands) and lower themselves to the ground when greeting an older person. This is not an act of subservience but an expression of respect. 

In the UK, we need to reteach our children to honour their parents and respect older people, their fellow humans and authority. I am not suggesting that every child in this country is disrespectful. Still, it is becoming a trend that erodes the structures of family, community and society. I don't see myself as that old. Still, many years ago, when I was going to school on a bus if an older person boarded the bus (or a lady or a pregnant mum), we would be expected to stand up and offer them a seat. Even then, people began to resist that expression of respect and courtesy and would often say, 'Son, sit down; you are causing a fuss'. Recently, on the Underground in London, I noted the courtesy of a couple of young Asian men who gave up their seats for ladies - I was impressed.