Philip Dampier's Blog

It’s Your Move

In the game of chess, white always moves first. After the first game players change pieces so as to alternate who has the first move. In the game of checkers, the darker color pieces always have the first move so either red or black moves first. Same alternate procedure is followed as in chess.

Have you considered that in the game of Life Eternal, there has to be a first move? The question is, who moves first, God or mankind. Some think that mankind should move first but that is not possible. It is not possible for mankind to move first because they are not aware of the game’s existence until the first move is made.

1 John 4:19 states: “We love because he first loved us”. This verse means that the ability to love comes from God’s initiative in loving us first. It highlights that God’s love is the source and motivation for our love towards Him and others.  While we were estranged from God because of our sin He made the first move and loved us. He offered the death of His son while we were still sinners according to Romans 5:8. Before the world was completely underway, God made the first move. We read, “…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (Eph. 1:4, 5)

And now it is our turn. God made the first move and He is waiting on us to respond. He calls you through His Son to come to Him. Consider Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Task for Today: It’s your move. Here’s how to move: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)