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?
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