Do you play cards? Me, not so much. If it doesn’t involve a ball, it rarely involves me. I did fancy Euchre as a youngster. Never seen the lure for Poker though, especially if you stand to loose all your marbles. Some old-style Christians in fact, believe that playing cards of any sort is sin! They may have a point.
Three particular cards make me queasy. First, the infamous “Race Card”. The rules are easy. If your factual argument is weak, just pull out the trusty race card and all discourse stops in its tracks. Its played in sports, high-stakes in Washington, and sadly, in neighborhoods like yours. In my multi-cultural neighborhood of these Hawaiian Islands, the game is played with skillful subtlety. Followers of Jesus know better.
Second is “Hidden Agendas”. Operating with smoke and mirrors you cleverly disguise your real motives. Slinking in the shadows is hardly attractive. I remind you; cockroaches and crooks come out at night. Paul penned in Corinthians, “We have renounced the hidden things because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the Word of God; but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” This game is so sly, sometimes you not only fake out your opponent, but even fool yourself into believing you’re on the up and up. Followers of Jesus know better.
The final card game is the match most often played in Church. It’s called the, “God told me” card. You know how it works. When you want to justify an action or decision, simply drop a strategic, “God told me”. Pastors play it with particular dexterity. It spices sermons nicely. Have an intransigent Board of Directors? A deft “I’ve prayed about this” generally does the trick. Inarguable. Perhaps you want to lean on someone. Employ the standard, “God told me…to tell you!” Works every time. Except when you play it on God.
Do you play cards?