All fun and games

Lily Cathcart July 10, 2025 4 0

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Galatians 6: 1-16 (NIVUK)

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule – to the Israel of God.

I love playing board games, it's a great way to relax, have fun and get to know people. It's also a really good way to see how people feel about rules. Whether written rules (like how many cards per round, or who gets to keep the most tokens) or unspoken social rules (like passing the dice and not gloating when you’re winning) negotiating rules together is an integral part of board games and an integral part of life. Although I will admit it's much easier to playfully call someone a cheat over a board game than it is to call someone out for rule breaking in real life. 

Life’s rules also bring up awkward questions like who made the rules and why and what were the motivations behind both the rule itself and the person who broke it. It’s easier when the only motivation is gaining extra plastic tokens. Perhaps thats why we play boardgames with children. Just like we learn conversation at the dinner table we can learn about rules around a board game.

I wonder what board games they played in the ancient times when Paul wrote his letter about rules. Perhaps as the children watched the adults arguing about society’s rules they were learning how to peacefully negotiate rules of their own.

Prayer:

Dear God of conversation,

Thank you that you trust us to try and be good

Thank you that you also give us guidance

Help us to keep each other on your path

Help us to see the truth of our world

Amen