Chess is a game of universal appeal that everyone can enjoy, but now I want to share some semi-allegorical thoughts from my Christian point of view; the usual drill. I really enjoy writing these as the thoughts are quick to form and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
The first rule in chess is to allow your king room to move. The king that stays too closely surrounded by its own pieces will get easily trapped and that ends in those the most embarrassing, quick defeats. Even good players can experience them if they let their minds wander or multitask too much.
On the other hand the very idea is to protect your king and go after your opponent’s, so this must be a nuanced approach. By the rule of thumb, to kibosh the aspirations of knight that cannot move straight forward is to step right in front of them, and rook that only moves on its track can get ambushed behind the corner.
Some say chess is a feminist game, and I suppose there’s something to the joke; the pawn, after advancing far enough will likely benefit from becoming queen at the other end of the board, which the rules then allow, but let me tell you something, a good player will usually defeat them before they get that chance. How? By utilizing every piece in attack, including the king, which can be the real game changer you were looking for.
I have seen players who seem to have their strategy together act so timid about moving their king unless directly threatened, I will wreak havoc with mine and brutally destroy them. Like president in republic or captain at sea, king needs a reliable inner circle who will offer help but do not interfere in decision making. Their task is to follow orders or walk the plank.
Read the rules before you enlist
As Christians our King is Jesus Christ. Are you limiting Him? Telling Him you can take care of things, and go visit Him only on occasion? Saying this is something for me to handle, I’ll call when I really need, don’t want to bother. Or maybe you say I’m too far gone, thank you very much. That’s fake humility.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
We should always consult God first, and not fret or get weird about it. You know, like in chess, our King of Kings is the only mover and shaker we really should be concerned about. As king He expects protocol if we want to stay close and as good shepherd may ask us to do so for our protection, but we shouldn’t tell Him not to move when He must do something bold to take care of our lives and His Kingdom, of which all of us Christians are part of by His grace and mercy alone.
Chess, not checkers
And finally, let us remember team play with everyone. There’s unity and diversity in one body. Don’t think you can replace someone else just because you want to. You may do that and accomplish some things on your own, yet do horrible damage to your team; like in games and sports, most importantly in our collective Christian life that is also meant to benefit those not yet part of it.
17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. — 1 Corinthians 12:17-18 (KJV)
God knows the best balance of function, and has chosen to reveal it in His Bible. We may not yet fully understand why there are certain qualifications that really must be met, but they are getting clearer each day (there’s an excellent, timeless book called Leadership is Male by David Pawson I’d like to recommend regarding the topic).
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. — 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 (KJV)
God bless you, Dear Reader.
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