Are You Ready

Stephen R. Brad once said, ~I think there are some valuable lessons we can learn from the game Simon Says. In a nutshell, the game is all about obedience.~ If you think about it, Simon Says is not only a fun game we've all played back in the day, but it's also considered a metaphor for life. As said before, the game in a nutshell is all about obedience and you have to basically play by the rules and obey what the person is telling you to do knowing full well he/she is going to attempt to trick you in order to take you out of the game. For it's a matter of staying focused and trying not to make any mistakes in the process but they will unfortunately be made in regards to friendships, love, and in one's spiritual walk with God.

Without a doubt, when it comes to the game of life that is Simon Says, the friends we hang with on a semi daily basis can be influential either in a positive or negative way. I think we can all agree, there are a certain number of friends who have that if we tell him/her to jump he/she will jump with no questions asked mentality where they will get you to do something knowing full well you may end up looking like a complete fool, especially if alcohol is involved. It can be a difficult situation indeed to know you've royally messed up as you listened to certain friends who seemingly have the ability to do whatever insane, illegal, dangerous, or just plain stupid activity that causes you much pain and regret afterwards not just to yourself but to others as well.

Essentially, Simon Says is a game of deception and you have to have excellent listening skills because if you don't you will find yourself wishing you paid closer attention. In some aspect, the sense of deception in the game of Simon Says can also be found in matters of the heart in regards to a relationship you truly regretted being in. Oftentimes, a guy/girl can be so focused or should I say blinded by the love of a potential and/or significant other that they don't unfortunately catch what they're actually doing using deceptive actions going on right in front of him/her until it's too late. For some, most, or people know all too well the feeling of being absolutely deceived by a particular guy's/girl's words and actions leaving him/her wishing they should have listened to those who saw it clear as day.

Joshua 1: 7 says, ~Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.~ Let me ask you this question, does it seem like you're in some ways playing a game of Simon Says as you're challenged by what the world says and what God says leaving you to struggle in your spiritual walk with God? You see, to listen to what God wants you to do rather what the world wants you do shows absolute trust and obedience in Him. Thinking about it, there are times where you may not be listening or refuse to listen to Him, whereby succumbing to the desires you want in life and that's when God in his own way shows you he's in control telling you you're out.

In retrospect, life is a fun game to play and at the same time can be very hard if you play the rules. Every person has been or currently in a Simon Says situation concerning their own life and whether it's work, marriage, getting out of debt, illness, or whatever the case may be you try to play by the rules even though they stink sometimes. Of course, you break the rules and try to avoid being seen/caught but you inevitably pay the consequences sooner or later, which hopefully valuable lessons were learned/continue to be learned from. Hey, nobody is perfect as we will mess up from time to time. In the end, you have to thank God for being with you every step of the way in life and will continue to be with you as you face Simon Says challenges/situations ahead to where He will say to you are you ready?