A guy is on a game show with a bunch of friends. The game show's format is a mix of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (Regis version) and Let's Make A Deal, its prizes are like The Price Is Right, and it's co-hosted by Alex Trebek and Vanna White. It's called The Game of Life. Everyone he knows has played it, making it to various stages and winning various "big" prizes. He and his group of friends came to play with the intent of going home with the current headliner prize: a brand-new, custom Yamaha VMAX. Not all of their friends and family understand or support their esteemed prize, but the guys don't expect them to. This fraternity has a perspective shared only with each other.
At this point in the game, most of our protagonist's friends have completed the game and won their sought-after and hard-earned reward, the rest continued in their endeavors. He is now at a crucial point in the game. He just reached a safety point and won an Alaskan expedition, but now he must make a decision: keep the expedition and continue to play a couple more rounds, one of which may contain the VMAX, though it is uncertain, or he can give up the cruise, pick one of the motorcycles or scooters he has passed over previously, and go home. He has less than a minute left to decide and has just used his last lifeline. Although the lifeline was the closest and wisest friend, it doesn't help because he tends to speak in vague answers to make you figure things out on your own. Adding to the confusion, the participant's head is filled with the voices of family and friends telling him to settle on one of the other bikes, after all, that is why he came- it's a guaranteed win! But he can imagine what the friends who have completed the game and have won their price would say: take a chance, keep going, it's worth the risk not to settle. His own logic kicks in: you can always admire the enjoyment of your friends with their bikes, besides, you'll still have the adventure of the expedition. Time is ticking. Guaranteed bike? Take a chance with the Alaskan adventure? Security or uncertainty? Ten seconds... Settle for what would do or strive for the heart's desire? What should he do? Five, four, thr....
"I'm taking a chance..."
This identifies a stage or season in my life, along with many other men and women. Moving away from friends, family, and what's familiar to the unknown far, far away is a tough decision many people have to make when deciding to act proactively on God's call for ministry away from home. This decision can be especially difficult if the person is single. Paul might have said it's good to be single if you can help it (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). Those are Paul's thoughts. But he also paints a good picture of how marriage between a man and woman reflect the relationship between Christ and the church. Even stronger evidence: God doesn't think we should be alone, so he designed us to need someone else (Genesis 2:18). After all, he didn't make us asexual...
The point of this analogy is to encourage people making tough decisions. People who mean a lot to you, such as friends and family, may genuinely want what is best for you. However, if it conflicts with what you know is right for you and causes doubt, seek the Holy Spirit for guidance and look to your close friends that share your passion, vision, and goal for encouragement. It may be easy to settle for less than what you know is right, but it is worth the risk and hard work in the end if you persevere to your goal. When it comes to ministry and marriage, "Master, Mission, Mate" is the right order. I've tried the other variations, and it just doesn't work out well.
It's like at VBS tonight. One of the mini-lessons we had for the kids was that following directions makes things easier and better for us. For the kids, they had an obstacle course to maneuver. The kids that followed directions had fewer if any problems and had faster completion times. We applied this to Scripture. God gives us directions. We will reach an end, for sure, but, if we follow directions, it will be a better end and more enjoyable journey.
Do things the right way, even though you may think you know better. Follow directions, don't settle, trust God, and take the risk.
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