What Games We Play

By Jaye Lewis


When I was in my teens, many years ago, I wanted more than anything, to be beautiful and popular.  While I may have had some beauty, popularity seemed to allude me.  I was too smart, often very shy, and I had no idea how to hold my peer's attention long enough to find my hands, much less hold their attention.  At least, not until that one night, long ago.

I was at a Friday gathering with other teens and budding twenty-somethings.  I was uncomfortable, out of place, and I wondered if there was still time to run home and catch the beginning of a Friday movie, with my mother.  I did not belong where I was.  I did not drink, nor smoke, and I simply hated the "party games" that everyone played.  At that moment, someone insisted that each of us tell a secret about ourselves - something we had never revealed to a single soul.  Well, I was pretty much an open book, and I could think of nothing interesting about myself, that everyone did not already know.   So, I waited until it became my turn.  I was sweating like horse, and I had hoped they would skip me.

"So, come on, Jaye, tell us your deepest, darkest secret."

"I - I don't have any secrets, I think."  Well, of course I was not believed.  With much pressure and persuasive words, I was cajoled to come up with something.  Right before the words came spilling out, I felt a godly pressure on my heart.  I ignored it.  Popularity beckoned, and I could not resist.

"I read palms!" The words blurted out from between my lips.

"Really!"

"How wonderful!"

"Read mine!"

"No, read mine!"

For the first time in my life, I felt important.  And as hand after hand reached out to me, I felt something truly scary:  I felt power.  Power over others.  Their desires.  Their hopes.  And their needs.

So, I began "reading" palms, and I continued this for several Fridays.  I was good at it.  Heck, I was great at it.  I saw the look of hope, in the eyes of another, as I told them exactly what they wanted to hear.  I did not see how much I was manipulating each of them, as the gatherings became larger and larger.  I was like Santa Claus, promising futures that I had no power to give.

I began to believe the lies that I was telling them.  I began to believe that I really did have power.  I began to believe that God had truly given me a "gift."  I could help people.  And when dollars were shoved into my hands, I thought, I could make money.  I feel shame to even remember, and I could not, nor would not take the money, using the excuse that "money would only weaken my powers."

You see, I knew it was wrong.  We always do, no matter what lie we tell ourselves.  We know, just as the Apostle Paul said we would know, in Romans 1:20:

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse..."

I was without excuse. So, I can honestly say, I knew; but the power of finally being popular, was heady to my young heart.  This might have gone on forever, except for one event, that changed this course in my life.  One day, one of my new "friends" came running up to me, in a store.  He was out of breath, and he urgently wanted my advice.  Oh, look at me!  I'm so popular, I thought. People want my advice!  Inside I smiled.  I thought I was happy.

"I love Loren!"  The words tumbled out of his mouth, like a torrent.  "Please tell me.  Should I marry her??!"

Oh, my gosh!  This was no game!  He was serious!  He had a kind of gleam in his eyes.  Almost like he was half-mad.  All of a sudden, I saw something evil in his eyes, and I realized that it was my reflection that I saw.  I felt incredible shame, and a terrible dread.

"I DON'T DO THIS!"  I shouted.

"Oh, I know," he said, grabbing my arm with tightly clenched fingers.  "It's your power!  You're magical power!"  The gleam in his eyes was terrifying.

"IT'S JUST A GAME!!!" I shouted, almost screaming.  I wrenched my arm free, and I ran, out of the store, and out of the lives of my new-found false friends.

At home, I fell to my knees, begging God's forgiveness; and I promised that I would never knowingly do such a thing again.  I have kept my promise.   Now, I want to tell you what all of this means.

Psychic powers.  It's a lie.  Yes, there are those, who can fool others,  Those who want easy answers are easily fooled.  It's evil.  It is evil because the devil is the manipulator, and he is the father of all lies.  There are those, who have a capacity to see what is subliminal (something unintentionally revealed) - a trick of the mind, and no more.  Outside of the Holy Scriptures, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this is a very dangerous game.  It is very dangerous to a person's faith, and even an immortal soul.  If you think it would be fun to dabble, RUN!  If you think it is harmless, know that it is not.  It is a temptation to sin.  I know that television and movies seem to celebrate psychics and witchs; but look into their eyes and you will see their hollow, empty souls.

One man claims to pray before each "reading," yet he has said he doesn't believe in God.  Who is he praying to?  And why should he bother?  Another, rather hefty woman, claims to talk to the dead, for grieving parents, children, spouses, and sweethearts.  The only thing dead, that I have seen, are her eyes.  Look at their eyes, and you will see their empty souls.  This is no place for you to play.

I know it is hard to be a teen.  I was one, and it was very hard for me.  However, I began to understand, just what a relationship with Jesus means.  I began to understand just what "power" is, in Him.  Now, I am growing old, and my time is shorter; but I have never seen, nor experienced, anything that can compare to the warmth, affection, affirmation  and grace of our living God.  Nothing compares to Him.  I pray for you, in this world that has become more weary.

I wish that I had been blessed with Michael and Kristi Powers.  They have a special calling.  Remember that you are the sons and daughters of the One, and Only King.  Nothing on this earth will ever be greater than that.

With love,

Jaye Lewis
jayelewis@comcast.net

Jaye Lewis is a Christian writer, committed to Christ Jesus.  She is also a contributing author to Chicken  Soup for the Soul, Guideposts, and God Allows U-Turns.  She lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.  Visit Jaye's website at www.entertainingangels.org