Worldwide Chess

I'm not a chess player, but over the years I've happened to turn on a few championship games. The world masters don't think like the rest of us, and thus they are able to outwit the other guy in a flurry of somewhat confusing moves that make my eyeballs cross. On occasion, in a fit of temper tantrums, a few of them have refused to play and by default lost their titles. Chess requires patience, forethought, and strategy. So does living in this portion of history.

The world mostly runs in temper tantrums, but there are some things going on under our radar that we might wish to pay attention to. Not everyone is having a tantrum; there are some plans and forethought out there that have passed by nearly unnoticed. Taken together, they form a picture of a worldwide chess game. Those who pay attention will win; those who deny or over-react will lose.

Example: Turkey is ostensibly sending troops into northern Syria in a move to "protect" civilians against Assad's government crackdowns. Part of that move is because his own army is in need of more Sunni fighters, and one of the towns they intend to enter is Jisr a-Shughour. That town is the first place in the Middle East where the Muslim Brotherhood has engaged another Arab army directly. It means that the Turkish PM is looking for support among Sunnis, rather than the more conciliatory tone of his usual stance. Basically he is playing a dangerous game of chess that can alienate him from his pacts with Iran. So much for diplomacy. Good? Bad? Depends on your perspective.

Much of what we see in the diplomatic realm has a hidden agenda all over the world. In the end, it comes down to "what benefits me and to h.e. double toothpicks with anyone else." Our own government has many hidden agendas, most of which rarely see the light of truth. It happens in normal life as well- people who have agendas to take something from us are all around.

As Christians, our response needs to be calm and faithful. We need to see past the smokescreens of people and even nations' underlying garbage and respond with strength. I hear a lot of panic and anger out there. Remember that those who throw temper tantrums forfeit their titles. We can't do that- we are to be different. We have the best chess Mind of all-the Living God - on our side. Our titles as heirs to His Kingdom depend upon not losing it in the game. In the heat of battle, keep your vision clear,your mind sharp,and a good healthy does of faith in the middle of it all!
Daniel 11:32