The game of Simon was another fun game we played while growing up. Consisting of three or more players, one of the players was designated “it” – i.e., Simon. We listened and chose to do whatever Simon told us to do when asked starting with the phrase “Simon says”. For instance, if Simon said “Simon says clap your hands”, we clapped our hands, without question. All of the players who did not follow Simon’s command were out of the game. On the other hand, if the player designated as “it” said “clap your hands”, without first stating “Simon says”, we did not follow the command. And, those players that did clap their hands were out of the game. Another thing I remember about the game was if the player designated as Simon gave us impossible commands, it was considered cheating.
From this simple game, I learned how to listen and choose whose command I would obey. This simple game also taught me “how to” tell the difference between “genuine” and “invalid” commands as well as understand consequences. As I reflect back on the many childhood games, I now understand why we must imitate the simple and sincere faith of a child when it comes to receiving the kingdom of God. As a child, I made the conscious decision that whenever I heard Simon’s command, I would obey. No questions asked. I did not disobey nor ask Simon questions like: why do you want me to clap my hands? Or, how long do you want me to clap my hands? If Simon said it, I believed it, obeyed and that settled it for me! Whatever Simon said, I did it!
A very simple game, yet the first thing I had to do was to choose whose voice I was going to listen to and obey. That is, the voice of authority (Simon) or the voice of the stranger who kept trying to give me difficult commands and trick me into taking my mind and focus off what Simon was trying to get me to accomplish.
When I decided to become “sold out” for Christ, that is no more compromising, one of the first things I had to do was decide whose voice I was going to listen and obey. Again using my child-like faith, I have chosen to listen and obey the voice of God. Just like in the case of Simon says, I had to make the conscious decision that whenever I hear God’s command, I would obey. When God gives me a command, I am not going to disobey nor ask questions like how long do you want me to wait. Or, God how many times do I have to forgive? Why can’t I have my will and not Your will? Why do I have to give? If God said it, I believe it, I will obey and that settles it for me! Whatever He says, I am going to do!
Finally, unlike playing the game of Simon says where the player designated as Simon would try to give us difficult commands and try to trick me into listening to the voice of another. The awesome God I serve gives me clear commands (His Word) and He has never tried to trip me up. What is God saying to you? If God says it, believe it, receive it and just do it! I promise your life will never be the same in Jesus’ Name!
Meditation Scripture:
Matthew 18:2-4 – He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)
John 10:26-28 – but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (NKJV)
John 2:5 – “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (NKJV)
Proverbs 4:4 – He also taught me, and said to me: “let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live.
Joshua 24:15 – And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (NKJV)
