The Real Deal
By
Lexi Ellis
“As
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways [God’s] higher than your
ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah
55:9 (NIV)
Sometimes I play Wii
with my ten-year-old buddy whom I babysit over the summer. Over the past three
summers, whenever we play, I occasionally beat him. I’m not the best at sports.
But with this Wii Sports Resort game, all of a sudden, I am bowling over 150
when I’ve broken 100 in “real life” maybe twice. Suddenly, I can fly a plane
and collect green balloons with ease. Basketball? No problem! I can slam-dunk
that ball every time - - my vertical is wicked. I am now an expert sports
gal!
I know what you’re
thinking, “Hold up, those things aren’t real. You’re not
a real bowling genius, pilot pro or basketball expert. Those games
are virtual - - you aren’t really bowling, flying or shooting hoops. It isn’t
the real deal.”
You’re right. It would
be ridiculous to think Wii bowling is the same as “real” bowling. In fact, we
miss out on the experience of the “real deal” in the sport if we never move
beyond the virtual version.
I doubt anyone would
rather be a “Wii bowling expert” over the real sport. And yet, I think we
sometimes do that as Christians. We miss out on the real deal because we’re too
busy concentrating on the virtual, or the temporary, here on Earth. Rather than
pursuing God’s master plan and listening for His guidance in our life, we
choose our plans, solutions and desires. We may think we’re great at bowling -
- we’re handling life on our own pretty well - - until we stop and see we’re
only moving our arm with a white controller. My success in Wii bowling - - my
own ways and achievements - - isn’t as fulfilling as the choice to follow Jesus
and experience the real sport, which is surrendering to Him and being His
disciple.
I want to experience
the real deal. I want to realize I am part of God’s incredible master plan to
restore, rebuild and renew the world. I don’t want to think the virtual - - my
own ways and my own busy-ness in life - - is “good enough” when there is so
much more beyond the TV. I want to live life in full pursuit of God. I’m still
not an expert at bowling, despite winning on the Wii, but I am thankful for the
reminder to get off the couch, turn off the TV and live for Him!
FURTHER READING:
GOING DEEPER:
1. What parts in your
life are acting like the Wii - - that distract you from the “real deal” of
God’s master plan?
2. What do you need to
do to change this?
Lexi is married to
Andrew and has an adorable puppy named Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s
Children’s Ministries, teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School
and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
