Published: January 17, 2008 10:31 am         

We should give spiritual life all that we have

We gave our daughter a Wii for Christmas. No, it's not a typo, it's a Wii. It's the new video game unit from Nintendo. The gaming format actually puts you in the action with controllers that respond to your movements. It comes with a sports video game package that includes golf, boxing, tennis, baseball and bowling.

At this point in my story I should tell you that my wife has a big, tennis MVP trophy at home awarded to her by Frostburg State College in nineteen such and such for her extraordinary play.

That's right, she is a player and a competitor. She loves tennis and hates to lose, even to computer-generated, tennis playing "weebles" on the Wii.

One evening, as she was working up a sweat in a Wii best-of-five match, she actually lunged for a ball, swinging her controller wildly and falling into a nearby table. Now, please understand, you don't have to go all overboard like that. One can simply flick the wrist and get the same video game results as diving into a sofa or wall. But, it is the competitor in her that compels her to play with such abandonment.

Sometimes I wish we all went about our spiritual lives with such vigor as well. Giving it all we have every time we are called upon would mean that the causes of God become a priority in our lives. Making sure that church attendance, Bible reading, prayer and caring for others are all priorities will make our world and communities a better place. Check out a good church this Sunday and see the difference it can make in your life.

As for that exciting tennis match in our living room, well, let's just say we're not handing out any indoor tennis trophies just yet. But she is talking about a Wii sky-diving game to try out. I don't think we're ready for that. Perhaps they make a Wii first aid game?

David Sandvick is the pastor of First English Baptist Church in Frostburg.