Critical Moments

We’ve all been there in our chess games.  We reach that critical position where we know that the ultimate outcome of the game rests on the next few moves.  Contemplating multiple candidate moves and the variations of our opponent’s responses, we make our selection and proceed with the plan for better or for worse.  Sometimes it works out in our favor and sometimes it doesn’t, but the experiences help to refine knowledge into wisdom to apply in future games.  Perhaps we miss a tactic, such as a knight fork which costs us the game, or maybe we simplify down to a winning king and pawn ending.  Whatever the outcome, crucial to this process is understanding the critical position has been reached in the first place, and then making the decision and learning from the result.

Life offers similar times as well.  I can remember several times when I really felt like I had reached a critical position.  For example, my wife asked me to help out more with some of the household chores such as washing dishes and vacuuming the carpet.  These were not tasks I particularly enjoyed, but it was important to her so I said I would make an effort to do better.  Not too many days later I noticed a large pile of dishes that needed to be washed.  I had had a tough day at work, I was tired and just wanted to relax for the evening.  That’s when I felt the Holy Spirit say, “You’re in a critical position Jordan.  The next move you make will determine whether you really meant what you said to your wife or not.  Now, are you going to honor your promise or play computer games?”  I made the correct move and decided to wash the dishes.  I can’t say I have always made the best move in those times, but experience has taught me to carefully and prayerfully consider such moments.  The key was listening to the Holy Spirit and understanding that a critical moment had been reached.  This may seem like a trivial example, I mean who really cares about the dishes right?  I’ve often wondered how many relationships started on the path to separation because the wrong choice was made in times like that.  Life and chess are similar in that little mistakes lead to big mistakes.  Many “minor” wrong choices lead to major incorrect choices which can destroy lives.

Scripture tells us, in 1 King 12, that Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, came to a critical position early in his reign.  The people had asked for relief from the heavy tax burden and Rehoboam sought advice.  The elders gave good advice and the younger advisors did not.  Regrettably for the nation of Israel, Rehoboam chose poorly.  However, not all blunders end in total disaster.  The wonderful thing about the God we serve is that He can change the worst situations into something that will honor Him.  Peter, in Luke 22, committed the unthinkable in denying the Lord three times.  However, Jesus restored him, and Peter went on to be a great champion of the faith.  Polycarp, an early church father, reached his most critical position when, late in his life, he stood before the Roman authorities who threatened him with death.  He had taken to heart Matthew 10:28 and didn’t fear whose who could only kill the body, but rather feared the Lord.  Even though it cost him his life on earth, he certainly made the best move, and I doubt much calculation was involved.

I provided these examples to help us all understand that our choices do mean something and that “critical positions” are reached often in our lives.  May we all be like Polycarp and make the best choice, but, thanks be to God, that even if we fail, like Peter, there is always redemption and continued service to the King of Kings.  Praise be to God who has given us His Holy Spirit to give us discernment in such times.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Thanks for the great article.  This is exactly why I started this group.  Life's lessons are reflected on the chess board and echoed in the Bible.  Keep up the good work!  May God bless you.