The annual competition was in full swing; the men versus the women, winners versus the perennial losers. The scene is set by two families sharing fresh pesto and salad, great conversation, and a game of pictionary. What occurs can best be described as the stuff of relationship magic. They shared conversation that allows people to grow in their knowledge of life itself. In the process memories are formed that shape the course of their lives more than anyone realizes. Some might say that the experience is a snapshot of life.
I would, as a member of the winning team until last night. The girls would say simply “in one hour it’s over, your judgment come!” (Revelation 18.10) And in two hours they were right – history as we, the men had known it, was over. Judgments aside, the better side won on that night. Hopefully there will be a rematch and the “true” winners will again rise to the occasion.
I wonder if we casually stroll through life in the same matter. We stride, confident in our own abilities and tactics, thinking that if things only break our way that we will “win”. Despite setbacks and harsh realities we struggle on, knowing that if only we are disciplined and focused we will climb the mountain, attain the roof-tops, and master the dark side.
Reality is harsh in the light of day. For every bright spot, every victory and beautiful moment there is a dark-spot in the picture. Buried in our past and present are things that we struggle to acknowledge and deal with. The fact is that we will never be able to deal with them. God has given us a taste of what “relationships” can be like; I know I experienced that part of the picture fresh again last night. In the same breath I discovered yet again how we, you and I, are truly at a loss to “win” the ultimate game.
Our era has ended; in this moment God’s begins. God has already won. Do we want to win as well?
