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Plastic Spider Rings
by Keith Hoffman
We were celebrating our youngest son’s birthday at a
family oriented pizza restaurant. I was relaxing in the booth, watching our
four children play arcade games using the tokens included with our meal. At
first, they were scattered around the room, trying their hand at various
games. A little later, I noticed that they gathered around just one or two
machines. My curiosity got the best of me, and I walked over to investigate
the amusements that garnered so much attention and captured the imagination of
our children.
I was astounded to see our otherwise mature pre-teen
children playing a silly, mindless game that failed to challenge even my
six-year-old son. How could they, in a room filled with basketball, skittles,
and video racing games, become so enthralled in such a meaningless
entertainment? I asked my oldest son why they were all playing such a lame
game. He proudly held up a fist full of pink tickets and replied, “Look at all
of the tickets you can win on this game!”
They didn’t really like playing the game at all. It was
meaningless to them, provided no enjoyment, and did not challenge their
abilities. They played it because they were caught up in winning the most
tickets possible.
After they used every game token, they headed to the
redemption counter to select prizes. After staring through the display case
for what seemed like hours, they finally made their selections and handed
their tickets to the impatient attendant. You would think they were trying to
choose between rare and exquisite treasures, but the prizes were plastic
spider rings and rubber snakes.
My heart suddenly sank as I realized the application in
my own life. How many times had I turned away from pursuing a life of
obedience, true happiness, and eternal reward because I was caught up in
earthly pursuits? How many times had I compromised my faith so my boss would
accept me? How many times had I wandered into sin because I was enticed by the
immediate satisfaction it would provide? How many times had I “played the
game” that paid out the most tickets, only to discover in the end that the
payout was meaningless? As I watched our children trade away these moments of
their lives for plastic spider rings, I began to realize that I was making
some very large sacrifices for meaningless trinkets.
The world is full of “games” that compete for our time
and attention. They may include career, hobbies, sports, and recreation. While
worthy pursuits, we are called on a divine quest that we must never
compromise: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled” (1
Peter 1:13a), and “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires
you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so
be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy" (1
Peter 1:14-16).
Our trip to the pizza parlor taught me to think about the
“games” that I am playing. I am naturally drawn to ones that are easy, have
lax rules, and promise many “tickets.” They are easy to find, for they are the
ones with the long lines. Unfortunately, I am often lured to “games” that are
sin. When I choose to sin, it is because I am drawn into it by something I
desire (see James 1:14), but I am reminded to take a look at the redemption
counter, and see if the prizes are worth the trade. It is then that I recall
that we are to “set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus
Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13b).
What game are you playing? Have you chosen one worthy of
your calling, or have you become caught up in winning the most tickets? God
has prepared a prize that is infinitely more valuable than a bunch of rubber
shakes and plastic spider rings.
Copyright © 2002 by Keith Hoffman
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