Before the advent of video arcades, I used to love playing pinball machines.
In fact, the first date that Katha and I had in Brownwood involved a pinball machine. I tried to make her a fan of directing that little silver ball but don’t think I had much success. Still, a pinball machine was a great twenty-five cents of enjoyment!
Life can find parallels with a pinball machine. If one thinks of each ball representing a life experience, here are some things that I have learned:
- Life can move quickly! When the first ball of the machine gets launched its “full speed ahead!” The older I get, the slower my pace. But sometimes life happens at incredibly fast speeds and I must “hang on” to survive.
- Detours happen. Try as I might, the ball takes flight on a path I had not planned. It bounces around in areas that I had not anticipated and did not see coming. Need I point out the obvious parallel with life?
- Be alert! The ball can eventually come near a flipper and it needs to be swatted toward the top of the course…or it may go out the exit ramp. God’s Word says to stay alert for the ways of Satan who is like a roaring lion looking for ways to take us down.
- Suddenly it’s gone. Occasionally the ball will speed down the center of the course and is gone before I know it. Sometimes I go through an experience and suddenly find myself wondering, “What was that!?”
- Stuck at a flipper. It is rare but possible for a ball to get stopped while sitting on top of a flipper. Sometimes it seems I am “stuck”…God has disappeared and left me alone. At those times I am drawn to the “Wait on the Lord” verses and reminded that He is still there.
- Don’t Tilt! At times when I want to manipulate the ball’s path I am tempted to tilt the machine. But don’t do it! Or the game is sure to be terminated. When I try to force or manipulate circumstances I always make a mess of things.
- Bonus can happen. After reaching a certain points level, an additional ball is added. Maybe several! This allows even more points to be scored. Sometimes God brings unexpected blessings as sort of “windfalls” of life. Usually to encourage me. I cannot presume on these to happen or even work toward “making” them happen. But when they arrive I will be quick to praise the One who sent them.
I was no “Pinball Wizard” (as the song goes) but it was a great way to find entertainment…and be reminded that God’s in control of life.
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