Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him. So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already. — 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
I ran across a story that helps keep our priorities aligned with those of Jesus.
Remember the old game of croquet? You have to negotiate a wooden ball, using a wooden mallet, through a series of metal wickets. The first one through them all wins.
Missionaries in the Philippines introduced this game to a tribe of people living deep in the rainforest. They were very simple folk; they were hunter-gatherers, and had not been exposed to modern culture.
They’re playing this game, and one of the tribesmen hits his ball, and it stops next to the ball of another player.
If you’ve played croquet, you know what you’re entitled to do next. You can put your foot on your ball, give it a whack, and send the other player’s ball into oblivion. (This is a great illustration of the laws of physics.)
The missionary excitedly explained that that’s what he could do. But the tribesman just stood there with a puzzled look on his face.
“Why would I want to knock his ball out of the court?”
The missionary replied, “So you will be the one to win!”
The native shook his head in bewilderment. In their society it wasn’t about competing and beating the other person. It was about cooperating and working together.
The game continued, but no one followed the missionaries’ advice. When the first player successfully got through all the wickets, he went back and gave aid and advice and encouragement to the others. Finally, when the last player had gone through the last wicket, everyone shouted happily, “We won! We won!”
In whatever arena of life we find ourselves in, it’s about “we” not “me.”
What a lesson to learn from this. Thank you for sharing this story. It is so meaningful.
Diana Elliott
Thank you for the message and thank you for reminding me of a wonderful childhood memory.
What an eye opener, Greg! I’ve often wondered if our competitive spirit has been healthy as most of us has always thought. I remember a croquet game with a number of us young adults in a family gathering when one of our less talented player was in the lead, and of course all of the rest of us went after sending his ball flying. He angrily said “you #x!#” are all against me which brought great laughter from us which made him even more angry. For a short period following I was afraid mallets may also start flying. Just had to tell it, Greg.
Thanks, Greg…love this story And it’s message ❤
Honestly we never followed the rule of knocking anyone out. It was a good game but not always ending happily. We all love to win!!
What a great article and for bringing back great childhood memories. I love your weekly posts. Thanks for doing them.
Don