Monday Morning Memo: "Simon" Says

Do you remember the game, “Simon Says”?  To refresh your memory, Simon Says is a child's game where one player takes the role of "Simon" and gives instructions to the other players, which should only be followed if prefaced with the phrase "Simon says".  If Simon doesn’t begin the instructions with those words, the players are not to comply, and if they do they are out of the game.

I had not played this game for many years, but our three-year-old grandson is currently fairly obsessed with it, so he recently wanted to play it with us.  There Grandpa and I were, patting our heads, waving our arms like we were flying and doing whatever “Simon” told us to do.  After we had played for quite awhile, Simon (aka Elias) suddenly told us to “tell everybody about Jesus!”  I’ll be honest, it took me by surprise and so I looked at our grandson and he nonchalantly said, “That’s what we’re supposed to do grandma.  We’re supposed to tell everybody about Jesus!”  I responded, “Yes we are Elias.”

Elias’ statement has been going through my mind ever since that day and it has taught me a few things.  First of all, it is so important that we are intentional on teaching our children spiritual principals at a young age. Children’s minds are like sponges and they can easily absorb Biblical truths.  They may not understand it all at this point, but having it in their young thoughts is so important.

Secondly, I think we often make sharing about our Jesus too difficult.  I haven’t been able to get out of my mind how matter-of-factly Elias told me what we are supposed to do.  To him it was just a given that we are all supposed to tell everybody about Jesus.  Plain and simple.  We don’t have to prepare a sermon…study a stack of theological books…practice pronouncing big words.  We are just supposed to tell others about our Jesus.  We are living in a lost world and so many are searching for answers and we have those answers in Jesus Christ.  But if we don’t tell them, they may never know, and that could make the difference as to whether they spend eternity in heaven or hell.

Last, but not least, it is so important who we listen to each and every day.  It is easy to listen to the world as it is screaming at us to do our own thing and neglect to listen to our  “Simon” – Jesus Christ.   If we are spending time in His Word and in prayer every day, we are more likely to hear Him as He directs our steps.  It is imperative that we make listening for His voice a priority.

As we go throughout our week, let’s remember that we are on this earth to teach, share and most of all, listen to our Heavenly Father.  I believe that if we are truly in tune to His promptings, He will give us the opportunity to let others know how much He means to us.  Again, we don’t have to have a long speech memorized; we just need to be willing to share.  Very few of us have a hard time telling others about our kids, grandkids, job or our vacations…we ought to be willing to tell about the One who gave His life for us.  And, if you are leery about sharing, don’t forget that “Simon says…tell everybody about Jesus!”  So you better obey because you want to make sure you get to stay in the game!

 “Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

He is to be feared above all gods.”

Psalm 96:2-4