The Games We Play: Solitaire
The game of Solitaire is a game played by yourself — either on a computer or with a deck of playing cards. When I took keyboarding class in high school, if we completed our work early, we were permitted to play Solitaire. It would keep us quiet and we wouldn’t be bothering any other students. And on the surface, living that kind of life can be attractive. Peaceful, quiet, alone — doing what you want to do, when you want to do it, how you want to do it.
But ultimately, living a life in solitary becomes hollow. As much as someone may want to isolate themselves, that lifestyle never satisfies because they don’t have anyone to share their life with (Eccl. 4:8). The illusion of living in solitary promises freedom, control and safety. But God says in Gen. 2:18 that we are not sufficient alone. We’re not made to be by ourselves. Everybody needs somebody to connect with. Later in Eccl. 4, scripture advocates a life that is deeply intertwined with others (v. 9-12). We must learn how to build meaningful relationships that are going to help us grow, or we not only miss the chance to be everything God wants us to be, but we also won’t accomplish what God wants us to accomplish. We need each other.
An example of this is found in I Samuel. There, we’re introduced to Saul, who was anointed the first king of Israel. He was tall. He was handsome. He came from a wealthy family. By all outward appearances, he was a guy who had it all together. But he did not put his trust in God, nor did he trust the people who God surrounded him with — most notably Samuel. Because of his lack of trust in God and others, Saul made a mess of things. He was a failure. He made excuses. He blamed others. He was not a man of character. Saul looked at everybody else as a threat, and eventually, he ended up taking his own life (I Chron. 10).
Eccl. 4:10b says: “But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” Let’s face it: Life is hard. Who do you call when you’re struggling? Who’s there for you when life knocks you down? Who are you there for? Who calls you to pray for them when they’re struggling? If you don’t have those kinds of people in your life today, I pray that you take the proper steps you need to take to ensure you do. Make a phone call. Send a text. Walk up to somebody after services. Let them know you need them and that you’re there for them. Because you can’t play Solitaire as a Christian.
