use your weapons...

every once in a while i play this game on my computer called "super collapse II"...it's one of those games that's part strategy, part how fast is it humanly possible to click a mouse, where you try to tear down walls of blocks by getting them in groups of three, as the computer continually adds rows of blocks - i know, amazing, huh?

anyway...a few nites ago i was playing and every once in a while there are little "weapons" that pop up and allow special "extras" that help you reach the finish faster...and as i was playing i felt the Lord speak to me "you need to do that too - use your weapons..."

now in the game version you never know when a weapon will pop up, and sometimes you don't know what it's purpose is until you click on it, but it always is for your benefit... in "real life" we have been provided with spiritual weapons that we must choose to use...which are also for our benefit...

one thing i have noticed about the game is that if you choose NOT to use the weapons, you generally lose much more quickly - it seems the same in real life...it's easy (for a while) to fight our own battles, well for some people, we won't name names...but true independence comes not by our own desire to be in control of our circumstances, quite the opposite - utter dependence on God brings freedom...ironic...

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 ...For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
i'm sure there are other "deep" analogies i could convey from this game - one, is i wonder why you have to have at least 3 blocks - hmmm, vaguely reminiscent of a three fold cord is not easily broken; two, is that you are only competing against yourself, no one else, only you can increase your high score, only you can improve with each game, you have no one else to compare yourself to or to compete against...that's another whole blog in itself; three, when you use the weapons effectively you are rewarded for your actions - in the case of the the game you get cool sound effects and bonus points, in real life, i think most importantly of the heavenly rewards that await us for our faith...

Ephesians 6: 13 - Therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand therefore...