The one with 'Guess Who?'

What do Bill, Robert, Anne, David, Susan, Anita and Eric all have in common? 

They are all characters in the original game of Guess Who? (by Hasbro)

I haven't played this game in a long time, but I still remember it well.  In the original game (sadly it has changed quite a bit) you and your gaming partner each have a board in front of you, with a number of characters tiles flipped up.  You both pick a random card, and this becomes the character your opponent will try to guess, to win the game.  Guesses are narrowed down by asking 'yes' or 'no' questions such as:

Are they wearing a hat?
Do they have black hair?
Are they smiling?

Is this bringing back memories?

Over the last few days I have been reflecting on this game quite a bit.  Why?  Let me share with you ...

On Sunday I heard a sermon on Psalm 119:105: 'Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'

Thanks to an old Amy Grant song I know this verse well, and could even sing it to you!


Can you see the connection between this verse and Guess Who?  No, I am not surprised, I do have a tendency to find obscure connections in things!  Allow me to carry on ...

The preacher drew attention to the two different forms of illumination in the verse: the lamp and the light.  Two different lights, each with its own purpose.  The lamp lights up the area directly around the Psalmist (the author), whilst the beam of the light shines ahead and lights up the path to be traveled.  

Applying this to our lives,  the preacher suggested that unless we have a full understanding of ourselves, we cannot hope to see what is ahead for us.  In other words, we need to see ourselves in the correct light (the lamp) before we can effectively see our future (the light to our path).

As I have recently felt that the path ahead is surrounded by fog, I found this particularly interesting and pertinent to my current situation.  Is it possible that I cannot see my path clearly because I have an incorrect, or distorted view of who I really am?

Can you see where the Guess Who? game comes in now?

In a quiet moment of reflection following the sermon, I began to see that the view I have of myself is largely influenced by past experiences.  Words spoken to me in the past, and the reactions of other people, still impact my understanding of who I am.  My guess is that I am not alone here.  Past hurts, perceptions and experiences can become deeply embedded in our character, and can prove very difficult to let go of.

It is as if we are many different 'faces' on a Guess Who?  board.  Although they are all the same person, they represent different characteristics and understandings we have of ourselves.

'I am not very clever'
'I am not attractive'
'I cannot achieve ...'
'I am a loser'
'I am not a likeable person'


You get the point.

BUT - we do not need to let these incorrect understandings control our lives.  Our past may impact our present, but it does not determine our future.

We do not need to keep believing we are worthless.  We should not accept the cruel words that have been spoken over us.  We must not listen to the lies of the world.  
 
We need to have a good and honest look at our board, and ask ourselves, 'is this really true?'  We need to ask God to help us see ourselves as he sees us and listen to the Truth of his Word.  We need to listen to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.  

It is time to reevaluate, to switch on the lamp, and see ourselves as we really are:

'We are loved'
'We are fearfully and wonderfully made'
'We are known by the true and living God'
'We are not a waste of space'
'We can make a difference'

So, let's get out our personal Guess Who? boards and start flipping down the tiles with incorrect 'faces' on, and be left with an accurate understanding of who we really are.


Ready for a game?  I am.