Solitaire Confinement

In 1989, Microsoft was set to release its new Windows 3.0 operating system.  They were worried that many wouldn’t adjust to the new graphical interface and wouldn’t understand how to use the mouse to “drag & drop” files and icons.  It was decided to create a game as a way of training people to these new methods.  It wasn’t a top notch assignment so it was given to an intern, Wes Cherry, to create.  He did even bother to work out a deal for royalties for his work.  No one at the time realized how popular the game would become.

Solitaire is now considered the most played video game in the world. It has gone well beyond a training game to a national pastime.  Lost business productivity by employees playing Solitaire has become a common concern since it became standard on Microsoft Windows.  Hundreds of thousands of hours are wasted by office workers all over the world chained to their computers, trying to make those cards bounce.

I find this story unique but very familiar. I have noticed over the years many activities that were intended to be helpful and positive, can grow to a point that take over families. It may be something like recreational activities, sports or social events.  They start of harmless but they begin to take up more and more space. Then it starts to force out other more important things.  Church work, Bible study, and even worship are sacrificed to keep pace. Soon the family’s entire lives revolve around it. Their hobby controls them rather that being a nice addition to their life.

The Bible warns us in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Activities, hobbies, jobs, and even things, if allowed, can become time wasters that take over our lives and pull us from we really need to be doing. Time is the most valuable commodity we have. Once used it is used can never be brought back, we can’t make more of it. How are we putting it to use?