Random Pieces

Recently, I made my way across the country to speak to students at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Unbeknownst to me, a major winter storm had erupted right in the middle of my path. What should have been a sixteen-hour drive, turned into about 24 hours… a painfully slow, and at times frightening experience (You will hear more about this storm in a future podcast episode). At one point, it took three hours to move fourteen miles… It WAS THAT bad.

I am not always the most patient person when I am going 7 miles an hour in a 70mph zone… Recognizing that, I thought I would distract myself with a few podcasts that I like to listen to from time to time. The discussion was on board game design; in particular, what makes a good rule book. The host (who is someone I profoundly respect for his genuine niceness and sincerity) said something to this effect: “A good rule book should inspire. It should breathe life into this seemingly meaningless box of pieces and give them a decisive purpose. It should demonstrate how what you have been given is to be used and enjoyed, not just for yourself but those around you. It should inspire you to recognize purpose and meaning and that this is not just a box of random pieces. Everything has its purpose and place, and when that vision is grasped, it finds its meaning.”

I found myself meditating on that profound truth… in a discussion about board games… rule books of all things… for most of the remaining drive.

What does this podcast about board games and rule books have to do with our faith? Well, first, the Bible is not simply a “rule book” in the usual sense, it is something so much more! Something more like those “good rule books” that inspire (which, I promise, do exist… and so do board games that are that good… I am looking at you Viticulture, Scythe, and Wingspan).

Scripture is one of the primary places where we encounter Christ and his great love for us. Where we meet the very person who knit us together in our mother’s womb (Ps 139:13). It is where we encounter the One who created us with a very specific purpose in mind; not just for our own benefit, but for the world around us.

Christianity is primarily about a whom; not a what. It is ultimately about relationship and encounter. The more profoundly one encounters the person of Jesus Christ and the deeper one grows in relationship with him, he “breathes life into the seemingly meaningless” moments, struggles, relationships, or experiences in our lives. Christ breathes meaning into us… the “pieces” and he gives meaning to the “rule book” because it all points to a relationship centered on love.

In that encounter with Christ and His word, in the witness of his grace at work in the lives of the saints, and in the teachings of the Church handed down to us by the successors of the Apostles, we find that the lives we have been given are not just random chance. What is before me is not just a box full of random pieces without any real meaning or purpose.

It is here that we discover the answers to the questions that have been at the forefront of man’s heart for countless ages, “What is my purpose? Where am I going? Why am I here?” It is here that the “rule book” given to us by Christ inspires, breathes life into us and we find our decisive purpose. Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Here we discover our purpose and can say without hesitation: “I was created by love, for love, to love. I am created for loving communion with God and with people. Called to the life of heaven. I am made to know him, love him, serve him so that I can be happy with him in heaven. I am made for two reasons: for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. First my own, then those entrusted to my care and all the Lord may put along my path to love. Everything else is the rest.  He calls me to perfection and holiness (Mat 5:48). Yet, he does not call me to an impossible task because he has given me a helper (Jn 14:16-21; Acts 1:8). Will I make mistakes? Yes. No matter how many times I read the “rule book” … I will make mistakes… I won’t always “win” each game, but he gives me the directions to grow. I get better. I can learn the strategy from that great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). I strive to win the ultimate prize which is heaven. It is worth it and it is why I am here.”

It is a process. It takes time. It takes dedication. It takes passion. It takes great love.