The Gamechanger?

A couple of months ago, I began to desire a new job, I realized I was ready for a job change. I prayed to God for affirmation. I remember driving home from work that day, hoping for an open door. When I got home I called up an old friend and explained my situation to him.

I was told to come to see him and turn in my resume. The next day I resigned from my old job and I began a new job the following week.

Little did I know, God wasn’t giving me a new job, but was sending me to a new mission field. The workforce is both foreign and unchurched. A couple of my coworkers are quite younger than I am.

As I listened to their language and observed their lifestyle, I had deep compassion for them. My supervisor and I began sharing our faith with them.

My co-workers refused to believe I no longer chased after temporary pleasures common to them. I tried to explain that they needed to change their game (Romans 12:2). But like most of us, they enjoy their pastimes and that is what this special holiday blog will be about.

Games?

Most people treat life like it’s a game; it’s all about having fun and acquiring things, whoever finishes with the most money or possessions wins. This perspective focuses on self.

Entertainment and fun have become false idols in this world. This is why most of us live for the weekends, so we can indulge ourselves in pleasure. Let me be clear, it’s okay to have fun, as long as it’s not your primary focus in life.

I’m notorious for being a prankster and goofball. I often get carried away changing my voice and talking in cartoon voices like Scooby Doo, Woody the woodpecker and Donald Duck.

Yep, I’m just a big kid trapped in a man’s body. However, I also know that everything in this life changes, except for death and taxes. Even the human brain continues to change throughout our lives.

It’s funny how this generation wants to change the world, but refuses to allow God to change them. I know it’s hard to let go of dreams. It’s hard to get out of our routines and comfort zones. Hello, moving on isn’t easy and it doesn’t happen just because we say the word, “change.”

I experienced this recently when I had to fast twelve hours for bloodwork to be done on a Saturday. It was hard to lay down my plans for the weekend. Let’s face it, some of us can only learn the hardway (Proverbs 20:30). It’s a no-brainer and I don’t have to bang my head.

But part of the good news is that God can change us and our hearts, so that we don’t play games. Unfortunately, there are many who continue to play the same ol' games. They like their traditions. We can’t hang out at thrift shops and expect something new. That’s religion.

Religion?

Webster’s defines religion as: the belief in a God or group of Gods, an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group of Gods.

For thousands of years the Jewish people have held on to their traditions and expectations of God. They’ve forgotten what the Scriptures said of the sacrifice of the coming Messiah in lieu of their traditions.

It’s crazy how the modern church has done the same. We are supposed to march to the beat of a different drum. Many believe we need more programs or more rules. The truth is all we need is more of Jesus. God is the only one Who can change the hearts of men.

The cross is God’s way of showing love to the world. Easter wouldn’t be possible without the cross, neither would change. It’s the Holy Spirit's job to lead and teach us.

Unfortunately, the apostle Paul tells us that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). This is why many don’t realize that Jesus is the gamechanger.



















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