Different Folks, Different Moves.

But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NASB)

Today I share something slightly different with you, partly inspired by brother David’s recent post When The Devil Plays Chess, which came from an exchange of comments where chess was mentioned. Chess has been a big part of my life over the last  twenty plus years, casually and at club level. Naturally covid has  played havoc with club chess, but recently Rothes Rooks our club has been able to meet up in public again. Rothes Rooks is more a small social club that just happens to play chess, unlike the official Chess Scotland clubs that compete in serious competitions. Our attendance can be anywhere between three and twelve folk each week; with three Christians within our ranks. For myself and the other two believers chess is  a useful analogy of the life of faith in many respects.

Chess is a game for two players, white and black sides of the board. Each side has a King, Queen, two Bishops, two Knights, two Rooks and eight pawns. It is played on a checkered board of 64 spaces which gives a huge number of possible move combinations and tactics. Most players play recognised openings such as the French Defence or the Ruy Lopez, only two of hundreds of such openings. A players choice of opening is as personal as a tennis racket or snooker cue are in their respective sports. The chess pieces all have different ways of moving and abilities; together making a whole army, a body of separate members.

The differences between the chess pieces is a good analogy of the church family; each member of the church has their own talents and abilities which makes them a valuable part of the church. Just as a chess player will never succeed without utilizing all the individual pieces, the same is true of a church that does not make best use of all the family in Christ. It may appear to non-chessplayers that the game is won or lost by the Queen, and that often can be the case, but the lowly pawn and his cohorts are the “soul of chess” according to the venerated chess master Philidor. Similary the Pastor and Deacons of a church depend on the service of other believers doing more menial tasks in the love of their Saviour, without whom the church would not be able to function.

Dear reader, do you feel undervalued within your Christian walk at church? You may not be the preacher, deacon or ministry leader, but to God your Father you are just as important. You may not even have a designated post but you are still valuable to the family of Christ by just being there and encouraging your brethren. Together united in Christ we make a complete set in the war against Satan, marching to an assured victory in Heaven.

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