Maybe I Don't Need To Know...Lessons from a Video Game

Several weeks ago as I sat in the van waiting for one of our children I discovered a video game on my cell phone. Galaxy Balls is reminiscent of Tetris and since I had played it eons ago I thought I would try it. In the beginning it was frustrating but the longer I played it, the better I got. It took me a few games to realize that the little screen to the right was showing me what the next configuration of balls would be. It took me a few more games to be able to efficiently use that foreknowledge and it definitely helped me to get better scores but it was not as helpful as I thought it would be.

I sometimes found that it was confusing to have to manage both my present and future moves. For one thing, I got so focused on what was to come, that I missed placing the current configuration in the most advantageous way. Other times I placed the current configuration in the spot that I should have placed the next set of balls. A few times, out of frustration, I simply took my fingers off the control buttons and let the shapes fall wherever they landed and, to my surprise, I earned quite a few points that way.

Many times I have thought that if I knew what was going to happen, if I had 'inside information' about upcoming events, I would be better prepared to deal with them. Playing Galaxy Balls led me to a bit of an epiphany - it does not always work that way. If I knew what was to come, I might be distracted from dealing with the present. Life can be complicated enough today that I don't need to worry about what is going to happen next week or next month.

Similar to the dilemma that faces characters in time travel movies or books, if I knew what was to come I might change things today in hopes that I would be in a better position to deal with tomorrow's challenges. And that brings to mind a verse of Scripture...

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 Message

Galaxy Balls is not the real world but playing it has helped me to accept the fact that I don't really need to know what is to come...as long as I'm focused on where God is leading me.