Chess and The Christian Life

Chess is a battle between opposing forces, with each side fighting to gain control over players involved in a life and death struggle. The Kings are powerful but even they obey the rules. The Queens are mobile and have the ability to swiftly travel anywhere within their Kingdom -- as well as the Kingdom of the enemy. They frequently bring victory to their Lord and don't always survive the battle. Rooks are powerful but difficult to get into the game. The odds are good that they will survive until the end, but they are often stuck in a corner. Knights and Bishops, the unexpected and the long range fighters, enjoy greater freedom and better odds than Pawns; but a Knight will always be a Knight, and a Bishop will always be a Bishop.

No one wins the game alone. They need each other, and they willingly submit to the hand that guides them. Everyone struggles to work together, plan together, stay together, provide support -- even making the ultimate sacrifice when necessary -- especially the least of them all: The Pawns.

Pawns are seemingly meat for the grinder. They may get stuck, but they never retreat. They frequently give their lives in the service of their King and fellow servants. If they can survive, if they can endure to the end -- make it all the way to the other side unscathed -- they are promoted to Knights or Bishops, Rooks or Queens. There is a new and exalted position for those lowly pawns in the Kingdom of their Lord. They were good and faithful servants. They never turned back.

Christians get the analogy and understand there is such a war playing out. It is war on a cosmic scale. It is a battle between good and evil: A battle between our Savior and the enemy of our soul. Christians have different roles in this battle, but I imagine we all want to be like those brave pawns that make it to the other side of the battlefield and reach a glory only little pawns can dream of. These good and faithful servants never give up. They never retreat and never stop -- even though the battle rages around them -- a battle between good and evil, spirit and flesh, seen and unseen.

I pray you and I will be good and faithful servants of our King. I believe He is returning soon, but even if death comes first, let's meet Him victoriously on the other side of the battle.