En-ing it All!

"In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame." - Jose Raul Capablanca, World Champion 1921-1927

Chess was played many centuries ago in China, India, and Persia but no one knows for sure in which country it originated. Then, sometime in the eighth century, the Moors invaded Persia and they learned chess from the Persians. When the Moors later invaded Spain, the soldiers brought the game of chess with them. Perhaps if they (the Moors) spent more time playing chess they wouldn’t be invading other countries…just a thought. Anyway, soon the Spanish were playing chess too, and from there, chess quickly spread throughout all of Europe. Here’s the lesson in all of this. The downside of invasion is loss of independence, the upside? Why, new board games!

In chess, the endgame refers to the strategy geared towards the stage of the game when there are few pieces left on the board...in my case that would be the beginning. In fact, that’s the case with most games I find myself playing. The beginning and the end are so close together. Still, I like the way my son Isaac plays chess, a six-year olds view of games is always more entertaining than the actual rules. Isaac chess combines chess, checkers, dominoes and something close to Australian Rules Football. You’re never quite sure what is going on and pieces are flying everywhere! The best part is that the pace is swift and you can clearly see the end.

Believe it or not, that’s the point. Fathers can (and need to) see the endgame – the time when parenting ends. This is generational significance time – making our “now” matter for the future. We need to “en” it all now…no, I didn’t forget to spell check and I’m not suggesting a lemming-like leap off a cliff somewhere. Knowing the endgame means the opening and middle-game needs a strong strategy.

Here is how the strategy works…with words. Impartation “en” words like encourage, enlighten, enjoy and enlarge. These words speak life, strengthen our moves and help us see the board clearly. We are no pawns but we are in the hands of a Grand Master who enables us when he imparts His character into us. With power and purpose released in our lives our endgame strategies are honed. They add significance and purpose in the present and future moves of our children. Let look at a few.

Encourage:
“For the rest, brothers, rejoice! Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves, mind the same thing, be at peace; and the God of love and of peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11

Enlighten:
“The eyes of your mind having been enlightened, for you to know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

Enjoy:
“Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1Timothy 6:17

Enlarge:
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1Chronicles 4:10

Check out other “en” words, search their meaning and find scriptures for them. Then apply them to your endgame strategy, man…what a move!

Blessings,
Jay