I can remember one of my favorite childhood games being "Capture the Flag." There's something about running around in the dark, being in stealth mode, proving my own form of bravery, that made me swell with pride. No guy ever admitted, at least not out loud, that he was scared of the dark or didn't want to sharpen his cavalier skills of trekking through the moon-lit landscape.
There are two instances I can distinctly remember. One instance was being in the mountains playing "Capture the Flag" when our group leaders concocted a plan to scare all of us pre-teens with threats of wild hogs and bear in the woods. Our game quickly became survival mode as we attempted to outrun the rest of our team back to the base camp before being eaten alive by wild, ravenous animals.
There was another time, and I'm sure this happens all too frequently, when once the flag was sighted it was constantly being designated for re-assignment making it nearly impossible to find and retrieve to declare a winner to our game.
Now that I'm older and trying to make some kind of connection between childhood memories and current reality, the more I realize just how much those games were attempting to teach me about life.
In life it's so easy to cower down to the pressures of my environment that I throw in the towel and quit. The noises of those beasts, those demons, from my past are causing me to fear my current position. I'm making a mad dash for places of comfort and security when I know full well that I need to be on the front lines navigating this journey.
I'm constantly making waves on this adventure that are rocking my own course because every time I set the pace for a new adventure I become easily distracted, bored, or exhausted and change the course of my destination. Its often to a place where the flag is more easily attainable or accessible, sometimes more visible so others will applaud my accomplishments.
Even in my faith, I play this "Capture the Flag" game with God. He's really called me to a place of surrender; a place where I would trust Him and release all control into His care. And too often I run away from the places He's calling me because of fear of my own circumstances or the improbable chance that He may not be present when I most need Him to be there.
Other times I find myself reeling my flag of surrender up the pole of His will yet only moments later rushing it back down as if I'm only teasing Him with unyielding obedience. And still He patiently awaits for my heart to be re-calibrated back to the place where He is.
Capture the Flag is not just some childhood game; it's a reminder that the flag of my surrender must be captured by an affection for the One who is pursuing me. God has not inclined Himself to be passive in my life; He is actively moving in my direction desiring that I give Him all-access to my doubts, dreams, fears, and goals. He is the Victorious Warrior in this life of Capture the Flag!
