King of the Hill

King of the Hill is a children’s game... one which some of you may not be familiar but, at one time was fairly popular.  For those who can do with a memory refresher, here’s Wikipedia’s definition:

King of the Hill (also known as King of the Mountain or King of the Castle) is a children's game, the object of which is to stay on top of a large hill or pile (or any other designated area) as the "King of the Hill". Other players attempt to knock the current King off the pile and take their place, thus becoming the new King of the Hill.

The way the "king" can be removed from the hill depends largely on the rules determined by the players before the game starts. Ordinarily pushing is the most common way of removing the king from the hill, but there are significantly rougher variations where punching or kicking is allowed.

Sound familiar?  As I remember it, there was usually a lot of shouting and little thought given to personal injury as we tried to get the king off his/her mound of dirt.  The main objective was to become “king” and hold that position no matter what.  It was not unusual to go home with scrapes, bruises and tears in our clothes.  The thing is, we were children and none of us ever stopped to think if it was worth the price some of us paid.

It came to me this morning that this game is still being played.  Our leaders have reverted to their childish ways and are so intent on the power struggle... pushing and shoving one another... they have forgotten their reasons for being on the “Hill” (pun intended) in the first place.  The media isn’t much better.  They are the children who stand back in a safe place enjoying the battle without participating in it but keeping things stirred up with shouts and catcalls... not caring who gets hurt.

While those we look to for leadership, honesty and integrity are busy playing King of the Hill, the rest of us are milling about in confusion.  We don’t know who to trust.  In fact, trust has become a real issue and fear an unwelcome companion.

This is a time for listening, my friends, not a time for the playing of games.  We must step away from the noise and confusion... go inside ourselves and listen to the one voice we can trust... the one voice which dispels all fears and points us in the direction we should go... the voice of Truth.  

This is what trust is about.  We must stand motionless in the darkness which envelops us because we cannot see even ourselves.  Yet we know we are there and we know the darkness will give way to light.  God is with us in the darkness as well as the light and the dawn WILL come!  So we trust in the sun's rising and wait for the dawn.

My prayer is that those who play this game grow away from their childish ways and listen to that voice of truth within themselves.  Only when they listen, hear, and put their trust in the one and only King will they be able to restore confidence and order. 

God bless you, my friends! 
Connie