Dodge Ball

Remember the game of dodge ball? When I was in school, it was a very popular game in gym and at recess. People from one team throw the balls at the other team and you either try to dodge the ball or catch it. If you get hit, you are out. The last one standing in the game is the winner. Somewhere along the way, someone decided that this game was to dangerous, or something, and most schools don't allow it to be played any more. However, I do know of many adult leagues of dodge ball.

Life can be like dodge ball. You line up, you work hard to avoid being hit, but sometimes you have to take the hits as they come. The last one standing seems to be the winner. They don't necessarily win because they are smarter, faster, or bigger. They just learned to dodge the ball better. When the whistle blows, a new game begins and no two games, or outcomes, are the same. We can try to fix or avoid a problem one way in life, but the next time that comes along, it may knock us off our feet. In the game of life, no one can dodge the ball forever. Some have learned too well to dodge responsibility, discipline, and all the tough choices in life.

Most of us play some type of dodge ball in our life. Maybe it's with our spouse, our boss, our co-workers, our parents, or kids. Usually the biggest opponent that we choose to dodge is God. We dodge every attempt He makes to draw us to Him. We look around and are amazed at creation, and wonder if there was a designer, yet we jump out of the way before we answer the question. We can be content to look at others faith, and rely on them to pray for us, to help us through, instead of seeking that relationship with God for ourselves. We say someday we will get that relationship with God in order and stop dodging Him, but what if someday never comes? Stop running and take responsibility for your life NOW! The Creator of the world, of the universe, has invited us to pursue Him, to seek Him, and if we do, He will not dodge us. He will welcome us with open arms and love us.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Proverbs 3:5-7 The Message

Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul... 1 Chronicles 22:19a

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9