Bigger or better. You might have heard of the game. Start with a penny and walk up to random people asking them, “Do you have something bigger or better than this penny?” I last played this game in Washington D.C. for a conference. Our group ended up with a mobile phone from a kiosk by the end of the game. Did the phone work? Now that’s another story.
The game shocked me, because people seemed more willing to give then I ever expected. Yes, we received our fair share of blank stares and rejections. Most people looked for an opportunity to provide us with something bigger or better. They would search for items as if they participated in the game also.
Life can look like a game of bigger or better. Certain moments bring us to the question of exchange the current for the new.
Jesus throughout the Gospels asks the question of bigger or better? The disciples leave their fishing nets to follow Him. Matthew leaves taxes. John 4 records the woman at the well and Jesus wants to give her living water so she can never thirst again.
Even going back to the Old Testament, Joseph in Genesis experiences the divine game of bigger or better. The pain in his life becomes the means of God saving his family. It leads him to say, “What was meant for evil, God meant for good.”
Part of following Christ may mean a game of a bigger or better. He asks us to exchange the current reality for a future in trusting Him. This is the God who says He exchanges beauty for ashes, strength for fear, and gladness for mourning. Bigger or better follows this pattern in our spiritual life; how we trust Christ today can grow even greater tomorrow.
You might be in the midst of season where Christ is asking you the question of bigger or better? Closed doors might mean an unexpected detour. Your routine receives a disruption. Living a “new normal” becomes an all too familiar “new normal.” These invitations remind us that Christ captains our lives and will guide us in the right direction.
So today, Christ might ask you to make an exchange; bigger or better? It may not seem like this at the moment, but it may open you up to totally new opportunity, perspective or friendship you never thought would come.
How is Christ playing bigger or better in your life today?
Photo credit to Jessie Schnall, you can see more of her work at Portraits by Jessie.