Friday, September 16, 2011

Open 24/6

It's one thing to be a "river rat" -- staying in a hand until the river card, whatever the cost. It's another thing to be such a "poker rat" that you play seven nights a week, whether in tournaments or online. Consider this advice:

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. - Proverbs 23:4
You're staying in practice, you say? There's nothing wrong with that. But our verse reminds us overpracticing can wear you out. And it might take your attention away from focusing on something (or Someone) more important.

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. - Judges 2:10-11
In other words, their minds and time became preoccupied with other things. We don't think they played poker that long ago, but we think the point still applies.

It's good to stop your routine from time to time, to think on things that really matter - things beyond the poker table, and even beyond this physical life. In fact, God realized that from creation. That's part of the reason why He ordained a weekly Sabbath.

Then he [Jesus] said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." -- Mark 2:27
We've kept a seventh-day Sabbath for decades, and found it's a wonderful time for resting, relaxing and enjoying quality time with God. If you're used to racing after riches at the poker table on a constant basis, the change may seem boring and strange at first. But give it a try for a few weeks, and you might discover how wise an "off day" can be.

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