“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” (I Corinthians 13:11 NRSV)
Games in my childhood did not involve any electronics, with the exception of games involving toys that required batteries or a train set that required electrical power. There were standard marbles, shooter marbles, and cat eye marbles just to name a few. We played with tinker toys, miniature military men, make believe superheroes, and machoistic cowboys. Most of our playtime during the week was after school time, homework time, and sometimes that little bit of time between dinner time and bedtime. In those days, there was an actual bedtime. After chores, all done with cub scouts, and crowded on the couch to watch cartoons and other cute little shows where we saw the characters as real people, we could play our games. I have to inject this thought. We were no different than adults of today’s times who act like their daytime soap opera characters and nighttime drama show characters are real. Funny! We played our childhood games, but on Sunday, it was time for church; church that went from Sunday School to BTU (a form of night Sunday School) to Evening Service. I recall Dr. Jeremiah Wright saying, “We never took off our ties and dress clothes on Sunday until it was time to go to bed.”
As we became older, the Intruders singing group was right, in the case of boys. We moved from “Cowboys to Girls” or at least we tried. Card games and saving money for a real car replaced playing with toy cars. Building a reputation for ourselves took the time slot where we once built things with tinker toys. Playing with military men and make-believe games of were often replaced with neighborhood rivalries where we warred in crosstown sports related competition. Playtime was not limited to any specific time as we got older. On Saturdays, we stayed out later, came home late, and laid down to sleep with only a few hours before the sun would shine through the windows and summon you to wake up. If the sun did not wake you up, mothers and fathers, both in those days, would take turns shouting with a loud voice, “Get up! You are going to church! I don’t care what you did last night (They really did.), but you are going to church! It is Sunday!”
The type of games you play today are more advanced and complicated in these days. Don’t even hand me a controller. Isn’t that what it’s called? There are legalized games that involved gambling. There is an accepted societal norm by many where seriousness in relationships has been replaced by playing with the emotions of others for personal gain. Was that a nice way to express it? People have been played as a way to fight boredom, as opposed to board games being played. Lotteries and lots of casinos in nearby vicinities, make it unnecessary to vacation in Nevada. There are major problems with some of today’s games and I am not so sure the Lord would be happy with the priority many people have placed on these games. Whatever games you are involved in, let me tell you that you will be a better person if you remember today is Sunday. “Get up! You are going to church! I don’t care what you did last night (They really did.), but you are going to church! It is Sunday!” Enter His house with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Pass this one on real early this morning, okay? Be blessed!
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4 NKJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King