RICHMOND HOUSE GROUP SHARING PAGE

SUDOKU

Ever since my friend introduced me to the game of Sudoku, I look forward every morning to the Vancouver Sun to cut out the game (with solutions) for my daily "brain" exercise.  For those of you familiar to this "addiction" of mine in the newspaper, they would know the level of difficulties begin with one star (on Monday) and progresses to five stars on Fridays.  Normally I would give up very easily on Fridays after a few trials, excusing myself to the level of  difficulty beyond my capabilities.  However, for the past few weeks, I attempted the Thursday and Friday Sudokus and discovered to my amazement that level V is not really that difficult as they claimed.  Rather, I have found them easier than level II and III!  How that is possible is really beyond me.  Are they playing a game of psychology so that we are intimidated before we began?  Are they planning on our "presumptions" to make it more difficult than it seems?  Is everything (perceived) in the eyes of the beholder, just like beauty?

Last night at the EBS we studied Matthew 20:1-16 about the parable of the workers in the Vineyard.  What ALL of us found hard to comprehend was the "fairness" of the landowner in paying the same wages to all the workers, regardless of how long they have worked.  However, Albert drew our attention to these important verses:

- He told them, "You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.".  So they went.   (Matt 20:4-5)

- so when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.   (Matt 20:10)

- "Friend, I am not being unfair to you.  Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?"    (Matt 20:13)

In every respect, the Landowner (our Lord) was absolutely fair to all workers.  However, human expectation and presumption came into play and distorted "our" definition of fairness originating from a very self-centred point of view; just as the level of difficulties specified in the Sudokus have detoured my efforts in trying harder to finish the game.  I guess the lesson that I have learnt is to look at matters objectively from the Lord's point of view, rather than my selfish own or even other's.  Very much like this favourite Bible verse of mine:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."    (Proverb 3:5)

God's vision is always 20/20.  Trust Him!!!

jane