I am no chess master.  Have never learnt the “classic attack” moves. Yet, since schoolboy chess club days, I have enjoyed the occasional challenge of the chess game.  Thinking ahead several moves, yours and your opponents,. The tension, the drawn out slow strategy, move by move. The sudden climatic checkmate. Sacrificing key men for the greater good,  visible deception unnoticed. Then the surrender or even better the surprise checkmate.

Many a night was spent with my young son as we wrestled over a game of chess. Too easy really as a seven-year old, so Dad would start with fewer men. Was not long before that was not necessary. His forte, dismembering my board one man at a time. I could not be distracted by the “6 o’clock News” or I would be staring defeat in the face.

Today, son is the acknowledged master. Occasionally we again challenge each other to another game. The outcome fairly predictable, although it is with some satisfaction I see son a picture of concentration. He knows one lapse and this wily old Dad will have him, with I must say much fanfare.

No doubt one of the appeals of the game of chess is it so illustrates the game of life.

Was a game of chess

easy really.

Opposition

not too hard.

Take him out

one by one.

Relax, this will be

easily won.

Game goes on.

Then I notice.

Could be trouble?

Realised he could,

burst my bubble.

I know I have,

a big problem.

Takes my Queen,

then another man.

I realise then,

that is his plan.

To late

for I have lost

all my men.

What fool

I was

at the start.

When confident

feeling smart

Lost now

my game of chess.

should have won.

Foolishness,

is my fate,

all lost.

Checkmate?

Gen 4:7

“If you do what is right,

will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right,

sin is couching at your door;

It desires to have you,

but you must master it.”

1 Peter 5:8

“Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around,

like a roaring lion.,

looking for someone to devour.”

by Asaw Miller