Mahjong

I play Mahjong.  A lot.  I have it on my desktop computer, I have it on my laptop and I have it on my Blackberry.  I think it would be safe to say I love playing Mahjong (solitaire). 

If you're familiar with the game, you know there are many layers.  The tiles are stacked and positioned so that many of them are hidden and you have no way of knowing what tiles are where until you've uncovered them through the game play.

As I was lying in bed playing Mahjong on my BB the other night, it occurred to me that the game is much like life:  you don't know what's coming until you get to it.  We can make guesses, some educated, others by instinct - but we truly don't know what lies ahead until the future becomes the present.

The significance between Mahjong and Life, though, is that GOD knows what's coming.  He knows what each move or decision we make will result in.  If I click on that tile, there might be another match underneath that would allow me to continue playing.  Or maybe there will be a tile that has no match uncovered which will result in my needing to shuffle the tiles or possibly even end the game.  

Such is life.  If we're at a crossroads wondering which way to go, which decision will result in GOOD, what God wants for us, His BEST, how do we know what path to take?  It's simple, really.  We ask Him and we listen for His answer.  And then we need to choose the direction in which He is leading us.  Why?  Because He alone knows what lies ahead.  He knows if we choose to go opposite of the way He is leading, we'll end up suffering the consequences.  He knows if we choose to follow His leading, we'll reap the rewards.  

He alone knows what lies ahead.  We don't know.  Just like with the Mahjong tiles, we can guess... but we do not know until we get there what is waiting for us.

I'm reminded of the song, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow."  

"I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry about the future, for I know what Jesus said.

And today I walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

There are things about tomorrow, that I don't seem to understand!

But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand!"

Proverbs 24:14 says, "Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off."

There is wisdom in trusting God for our futures, in Him there is Hope for the future!

Are you asking God to reveal Himself and His will to you?  I pray for His guidance in my life, for I have NO idea what lies ahead, but I trust Him completely to know what is best for me.

Dear Father, I come to You now as humbly as I  know how asking You for forgiveness of my sins.  In physical pain, I've been short-tempered with my family and I ask that You will constantly dwell in the forefront of my heart and mind so that I will treat them with the loving kindness that I should, as You do.  Lord I ask that You will lead my family in the way in which YOU would have us go.  Give us wisdom to seek Your will, and courage to follow it no matter what.  I think of Noah, and not only his willingness to do as You told him in building the ark, but his EAGERNESS.  I ask You to help me have that same willingness and eagerness in following You in the smallest of details in my life, and in the largest.  I love You, Abba, and I thank You for loving me and sending Your precious Son to die on the cross that I may spend eternity worshiping and rejoicing in Your presence.  In the sweet name of Jesus I pray, amen.