Games People Play - Trivial Pursuit - 24th June 2008

This game is a classic – knowing useless stuff about improbable things and winning pieces of pie (or cheese) for it. When this game was in its heyday, I spent evenings just reading the questions and answers so I had a chance of knowing the answers when the questions came up, but then they always started at the wrong end of the box. I always felt I had more chance with sport questions because I knew a lot about sport – allegedly.

The name of this game was very apt, as it served little useful purpose in life – we gained no greater intellectual knowledge, all we did was prove what a mine of useless information we were.

I am sure, (and I am happy to be taken to task on this point) that God looks at the human race sometimes and thinks that what we are doing is a permanent game of trivial pursuit – doing pointless stuff for no apparent reason other than self-gratification. And yet, the fantastic thing is that He loves us unconditionally in spite of our pointless activities.

My point here is about focus. Too often in my own life, I find that my focus is either blurred or non existent – at times it feels like my contact lenses have come out and I am wandering round aimlessly whilst being extremely busy doing it. I am completely unfocussed on what I am trying to achieve and hence don’t achieve anything.

I am not great at remembering bible verses; in fact, one may describe me as challenged in this area. But one particular one was given to me in my teenage years that has stuck with me, and it is this.

‘So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above’ Philippians 3:14

Can I encourage you today to think about your focus and where it is taking you?