Wii and Worship

January 11th, 2008

Tonight, the wife and I are going to her sisters house to play Wii Sports. Actually it’s her sisters birthday, but that’s just a side issue really, we will be playing Wii Sports.

I like the Wii, and Wii Sports is good. Bowling for example is actually a pretty close approximation to real bowling, which seems crazy, but I would actually think twice about going to a real live bowling place because it’s so expensive these days, when we can play it on the Wii for free. I wonder if one day all of life will be like this.

I would like a decent games console, but on the other hand, maybe it’s not a good idea. I spend too much time on computers as it is. But even worse than that, I fear largely it’s actually just another way to waste your life.

Life is short, and I believe that it’s about Jesus and being satisfied in Him. The problem is there are just so many other things on offer trying to win our attention, offering a promise of satisfaction. They all without exception fail to bring us satisfaction, especially compared to the complete satisfaction that only the creator can offer to the one whom He created.

Games are great, computer games, even better. This is my geek talking. I have grown up with computers, and games. I will always have some affection for 8bit computers, and less than perfect graphics. However, my affection for this needs to pail in comparison to my affection to God, otherwise I am missing the whole point of life.

Missing the whole point of life, and even worse, wasting that life is not something that anyone should wish to do.

Of course it’s not just computer games, it can be anything that we are putting in the place of glory in our lives, and so that’s what has been on my mind the last couple of days.

God needs to be God in my life. We all worship something, that’s how we are made. We were made to worship God. The thing is, if we don’t worship God, we will worship something else, and that is idolatry.

Examine yourself and see what things you count as valuable in your life, when I even begin to do this I realise that often, God is a little way down the list.

I am praying that God gives us grace as we seek to put Him first, and honour Him above everything else.

And Lord, as I play Wii Sports, let it be for you!

Legacy

October 11th, 2007

When a friend of mine died just over a year ago, they played this song at his funeral. Matt touched so many people, and didn’t waste his life. He left a legacy. He inspired me to make sure I do the same.

Over a year on, I have to ask what I’ve done to make that a reality? I guess I haven’t done enough. It’s not really about ‘doing’, it’s about Jesus, and just how much more I’ve made it a priority to become more like Him.

I love that God is patient with us. I just listened to this song again, and it reminded me of Matt and how he lived, and encouraged me to press on with Jesus. Life is so fleeting, make Jesus a big deal now, don’t wait until later, there might never be a later.

Jesus, I’m fickle and unfaithful
Yet you still love me!
Create within me a clean heart
And a steadfast spirit
Incline my heart towards you
Fill me with passion for your glory
I want to leave a legacy
I want to be like you!
So have your way in me
Chain me to you
Work out your will in me
And start all this, right now
Amen.

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who’s who and so-n-so’s that used to be the best
At such ‘n such…it wouldn’t matter much

I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an “Atta boy” or “Atta girl”
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
the temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, “Well done” good and faithful one

Legacy, Nicole Nordeman