{Re}play

I was walking home the other day from playing basketball at a new church we’re trying to get connected at and had an imaginary conversation discussing my perspective on life. It might sound weird but I’ve heard that people with a higher intellectual capacity often talk to themselves…
Anyway, the conversation turned out to contain a great analogy that I wanted to write down.
Have you ever thought about how you would tell someone what your perspective or view of life as a whole is? What is the purpose of it? Not why you believe what you believe but what is it that you actually believe about the way the world is…
I came up with an analogy. As with all analogies it has its holes but I think there is some truth in it.
Life and our existence in a part of this universe is much like an athletes role in sport. God has designed this world with structure and rules that govern its continued existence. There are laws of nature that are necessary for the operational integrity on the universe just like there are rules and accepted game play for a sport. We as Christians have also been given a play book or a manual to be able to live life the best way possible – to excel at the sport of it. We also have a coach – who has happened to play the game himself. So, in addition to the rules of game play there are also structures set up (offensive and defensive strategies and set-plays) to promote a competitive edge or a better way to play the game. As athletes we are given freedom within the rules and set-plays but there are also consequences of going outside of these boundaries. For example, within a given offensive play each player has some creative licence to interpret the situation and react accordingly – either by modifying the play or even changing it. However, if we do not execute a play properly or make a defensive/offensive mistake we may disappoint/offend/injure our coach, our teammates, or even other players and there may be certain subjective consequences associated with those actions; the coach may choose to substitute us out of the game or give us extra lines to run at the next practice or there may be emotional consequences or a loss of respect from our teammates. But if we break the rules of the game there are referees and organizational committees that may punish us and even our team for our obstructions.
Now, it’s a stretch to incorporate how the redemption of Christ fits in to the sports analogy but it’s sort of there. Our coach is a good coach and handles all the public relations and takes the brunt and responsibility of the performance of the team – in loss or in success. Of course that is not as dramatic and powerful as the reality of Christ’s death on the cross for the redemption of our sins… There could never be an analogy that compares.

As I finish writing this up I am also reminded of a thought I had last night – that we as Christians in North America are not challenged enough to defend our faith or even explain our faith.
Perhaps we need more imaginary conversations? But more than likely we need to get up out of our comfortable couches and talk to some strangers!

Advertisement