Come to think of it, poker operates a lot on the concept of limited vision. You know what cards you have. Then you learn what cards are available on the flop, turn and river. But you normally can't see what anyone else has. Your pocket Aces might look great by themselves, but if A-10-10 on the flop gives someone with pocket 10's quads, you're potentially in big trouble.
Our lives are very much like that. Great plans for the future can be disrupted in a hurry -- perhaps by sickness, perhaps by a crash, perhaps by thieves or other factors. It's no wonder the Bible says:
For now we see through a glass, darkly.... now I know in part.... - I Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
But God's Word says a day is coming when we'll be able to borrow from an old song: "I can see clearly now/The rain is gone...." Let's fill in some holes in that verse we quoted:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. - I Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
When is the "then"? We think it refers to a time of resurrection, when we'll see Jesus "face to face."
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek. - Psalm 25:8
Does that idea scare you - of coming face-to-face with God? The Bible indicates it's going to happen to everyone....
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.... - Hebrews 9:27
If your "vision" is on pleasing God and doing what He says, you won't have to fear this judgment nearly as much.
...God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. - I John 4:16-17
Here's hoping you play poker not only with a focus on the present hand and a long-term tournament goal, but with a vision toward eternity. Setting a loving example in a poker room lets others say at least a little of God's nature - something which soon will become very clear.
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