Chess, A Game Fit for a King

Most of you followers of my blog know me well enough by now to know that I couldn't allow Passion Week to go by without pulling the trump card, some profound thought or epiphany. Not that this is a game for me--given my latter phrase--but words hadn't come to me until last night at church and then bright and early this glorious AM, a day many in the world recognize as Maundy Thursday.

(Work with me and my play on words, which may come off a bit punchy--the title of this piece is after all referring to a game. Although I am not absent from the fact that it's gosh darn early and I should be sleeping like normal people. Instead, the Lord saw fit for me to awaken, giving me a word or two.)

Now, again I ask you to bear with me for a moment as I prepare to shed some light on the game of chess; it's necessary in getting to my point. (SIDE: My brothers continuously have to teach me how to play chess. They're both great players. I think if I played it regularly or had that much of an interest I could be good at it; however, it's always been a game of confusion to me, but many of the men in my life who are dear to me are good chess players. I admire the skill and talent!) SO...This is what the U.S. Chess Federation has to say about a "checkmate":

"The King is the most important piece. When he is trapped, his whole army loses. The King can move one square in any direction. (An exception is 'castling,' a special move that lets a player move two pieces at once--the King and one Rook.) The King may never move into check--that is, onto a square attacked by an opponent's piece...The main goal of chess is to checkmate your opponent's King. The King is not actually captured and removed from the board like other pieces. But if the King is attacked ('checked') and threatened with capture, it must get out of check immediately. If there is no way to get out of check, the position is a 'checkmate,' and the side that is checkmated loses."

I hope you're beginning to read between the lines and formulate the concept or point I'm about to make. Last night at my church's Spring Revival, the speaker for the week, made reference to a painting. It was not his focal point; in fact, he could have gone without mentioning it and still had a powerful message. I'm an avid note taker and try not to miss a beat--there was INDEED purpose for this subtle reference. I came home last night to research it more and stumbled across the picture/painting, which is titled "Checkmate! The King Has One More Move" by Patricia Hulsey. I found a blog that beautifully captures some of the history of sermons and biblical texts that have used this painting as the talking point: http://lmlk.blogspot.com/2007/09/checkmate.html.

In closing, I suppose the greatest theme that has been a recurring theme during my journey of 40 days is the concept of service. When I began my "fasting" season of giving up my items for these 6 weeks, I had my list of items that I was ready to get revelations and blessings. If you recall, last year I refused to give up the television because I couldn't miss "A Raisin in the Sun." This year I gave up the television (amongst other things), and I've done REALLY well. I did have one major moment of weakness, having to see the last episode of The Bachelor when even the internet media was making a huge to do over how things would play out...AND, for the first two weeks, I had to wean myself from the concept or idea of just the habit, so I'd pop in a DVD, justifying that it was not the same thing...WELL, it takes 21 days (researchers say) to develop a habit. Succcessfully, I have broken the habit. I won't lie; I can't wait 'til the 40 days are over...I miss my t.v.! BUT, seriously though, back to SERVICE...

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life because of his compassion for us and our sinful ways. If you've ever read the biblical accounts and historical events leading up to what Christians recognize as Resurrection Sunday, you will see the amount of hate and wickedness displayed by humanity. The people thought they had Jesus, but, if we picture this like a game of chess, God had one more move!

I'm trying to work better at showing strength when under the pressure of man. I no longer avoid conflict as much as I used to. However, in facing issues, I will at times try to appease people at the expense of right---this lack of courage also exudes lack of consistency. My promise is to deny myself daily in order to take up my cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). And, I cannot go wrong, because ALL things work for the good of those who love, trust, and obey Him. He will ALWAYS get the last move.

My issues & problems = checkmate!

Putting aside all things on my list of God to address, the BIGGEST blessing came in his putting the mirror to my face, revealing all I have to continue working toward. I desire to be a reflection of the Son's Light, which will drive me from the walks through darkness.

I am inspired, refreshed, revived, keenly aware that "a workman is worthy of his hire." I am his workman!