Video Games & God

For all you gamers out there, I have an interesting treat for you today. I was thinking about my spiritual life and all of a sudden, I thought about RPG games (role playing game.) Yes, I'm tapping into the video gamer in me, so brace yourself for this ride! :0)  If any of you spent/spend hours and hours pouring into a Zelda, Final Fantasy, or Super Mario Bros (which is technically not an RPG game, but adventure) knows, persistence pays off great reward.

Now for all you non-gamers out there, please bear with me as I refer to these references, because I'm sure you still can relate!

As I'm coming more into the understanding of my identity in Christ, it is SO revealing and at the same time, peeling so many layers away of misconceptions and lies that have been surrounding my mind, soul & spirit growing up. I realize that so many others struggle with the same things.

In Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37-39), we have weapons to stand against the enemy forces (Ephesians 6:10-17), God's people are called to be "strong and courageous" (2 Timothy 1:7, Deuteronomy 31, Joshua 1) etc...

Okay, so making the connection between walking out my spiritual life and video games...

Heart of RPG & Identity
Have you ever played a game and after the first failed attempt at a level, gave up? Have you ever played a RPG game, and after the first defeat, just threw in the towel and say, "Forget it. I can't. I'm not skilled enough." For those who are more drawn to games, would laugh it off and say, "No way. I've just got started." You see, the quality to RPG games is the play on building up experience in skills, weapons and power/attack against different types of opponents as well as choices of where to go in difference sequential order. There isn't just a Huge Boss at the end of each level, but all ranges of enemies and you may approach along the way. You may encounter a pretty high level enemy earlier on when you, yourself, is just a mere beginner. RPG gamers tend to build up tenacity and patience to win the game, finish the quest, exploring so many different dimensions to proceed to the unveiling of the story.

If we relate our spiritual lives to the hero of a classic RPG game, we are placed as a light, a hero, a freedom-fighter of sort, we are exhorted to press on with tenacity (2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Philippians 3:12-21, 1 Peter 4:7-11, Romans 8:18.) Sometimes there is this separation we make in our lives... we compartmentalize our "spiritual walk" with other things... like winding down, hanging out with friends, working in the office...and when we "feel" lacking or defeated in our spiritual area (guilt or disappointed in an outcome(s) in life), discouragement pushes for apathy and "giving up." We forget that the role and identity of our lives is defined as God's children, His heirs (Romans 8:16-17, Acts 3:25, Matthew 5:16 , Ephesians 1:3) and the calling and purpose to persevere.


No two players play the same
As a new player in a game, everyone begins off the same. You are given a (few) item/weapon/clothing-armor. But if you watch different players take on a RPG game,  you'll find their skill and experience levels vary depending how they approach their mini tasks and main goal.

I have been watching my niece and nephew playing on their Nintendo DSIs during their spare time. They are different in age (my niece 4 years older than my nephew) and also different in approach as they play the same game. For instance, they both play a game called, "Rune Factory" that has elements of farming, cooking, selling, fighting, forging, building-friendships...etc.) My niece likes to fatten up her money bag well by farming, cooking and selling. She does fighting when she needs to, but has sold much of her cooked goods (which take a longer time but yield greater amounts of money). My nephew on other hand, does the quick farming (in and out) to get the money he needs at the time to fight as much as he can, eat the smallest, cheapest item that gives a quick surge of energy and back to fighting. Same main quest, different paths.

Isn't it so true that when we come to Christ, we have one Lord, one Savior, one God? We are His children, his heirs, his ambassadors, his reflection. AND at the same time, we are all different in the plans He has for us....one end and the same call to share the gospel, tend to the poor and the widows, bind the broken-hearted, proclaim freedom and favor to the prisoner and captives but each of our lives specifically and different because how he made us? We are to be one body but many parts/gifts. (I Corinthians 12.)


Skills & Experience
Generally, in RPG games, usually there are different realms you can explore (i.e. marketplace to buy and sell goods, mini-games to take a break from the main quest, mini-quests in helping strangers in need or neighbors, fighting enemies, sleuthing to get to your next level to finish the main quest...etc.)

- Taking on enemies consistently can build up your skill and experience level to conquer greater enemies at a greater level (and probably help you earn money to buy/upgrade better weapons & armor.) If you keep conquering the same small enemy and don't practice your weapons & muscles on  enemies outside your comfort zone, you won't be able to defeat the level boss.  
When spiritual warfare comes around (and we may not even recognize it when it does) we tend to settle in our "comfort zone." This contrary to what it says in the Bible...to be watchful and alert (1 Peter 5:8-11, Ephesians 6:18.) Also, when we find ourselves in tough situations/seasons in our lives, what we don't see is that we are being conditioned to be a stronger, better sort of person for the next stage/chapter/level to come. We will not advance until we have build up some spiritual "muscles" because God doesn't takes us to places we can't handle (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) but also, the next stage may be a greater level than what we can handle in the now.

- Hanging out in the mini-games are fun, may earn you money, and give a good break from the "hard work" or battling but it can also be a distraction to the main quest. There are needs to relax and have fun but staying there too long will be more hurtful to the mission, you'll start to forget to the details of where you need to go and some back-tracking starts to take place. 
Rest is important and Jesus tells us to rest in Him (Psalm 23:1-3, Matthew 11:28-30) yet at the same time, He calls us to be a light in the dark, to fulfill His purpose even if it means walking in places that seem treacherous (Matthew 5:13-16, Psalm 23:3-6.) Being in His presence is like no other which is meant for refreshing and restoration, but He also calls us to go out to bring back others to share the good news...  (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:8, Acts1:8, Matthew 28:18-20.)
 
- Helping a person in mini-quests can give great rewards in aiding you to advancing to the story of the game even though at first, it seems like it is taking your time and concentration away from the main thing.
There is a quest in our lives as we follow Jesus, but Jesus cares more of who you are (character) than just only accomplishing a task(works). Now don't get me wrong, because your deeds will be a reflection of your character, as in the last days, we will find that the people we meet along the way that we had compassion on and gave unknowingly to will be Jesus himself and/or that He was watching closely the whole time (Matthew 24:34-40.) Jesus makes it clear that our hearts are claimed for God but also that they are claimed to help and love others as well (Luke 10:27, James 1:27)

- The marketplace is important to equip you with the right weapons, nourishment and tools you need at the right levels. Weapons also come with levels, experience and reward. Having the right weapon is key for the right level, and most of the time you need to be quick to test and battle with your armory at hand.
Isn't this so true when it comes to some chapters in our lives? Sometimes it feel like we're fighting with the wrong size weapon, or even no weapon at all? In actuality, we aren't fully equipped or haven't maintained and  kept our tools well used that they have become dull (Ephesians 6:10-18). Putting on our spiritual armor regularly should be part of being well equipped as well as using them! With more experience and confidence especially with the reminders from whom it came from, will bring you to upgrading your weapons and items! :)

Decisions, Decisions
Usually in RPG games, the decisions you make can lead you to unlock an outcome of the storyline that another player would have not. Decisions make the game-play different and sometimes the plot can also be altered. Also, potentially you can be at a place where it does you no good in the storyline at one point in time because you may have come too early (not having enough experience, information, or not at the right time) which will seem like a dead end. At another time, level or experience, it could open a whole other world.
There are times when life seems like a dead end. No matter the efforts I put into finding a solution or way, I'm back in the same boat, situation or type of relationship. This is what is known as "going around the mountain" syndrome. There are times in our lives when God is showing us in learning a lesson, get rid of old habits or sin in our lives, or asking us to take a step of faith. Many people would call this the "crossroads." More often than not we may take the easy or more comfortable route. To others it may be avoidance, ignorance, or just plain defiance. But the funny thing is that we end up at a dead end, because it leads us back to the same crossroads but maybe in a different form, time, place or person. It is easy to try to view God as being mean, punishing, harsh when we come to this place, but the reality is that He's wanting you to get to the next level, chapter, further along the path (Matthew7:7-11, Jeremiah 29:11, Revelation 3:8.)

Dying & Saving
This goes for most video games (but also especially for RPG games), that when it comes to dying, it's important to save or else all the progress and items built up will be lost. Noone likes losing a life, but when it comes down to it, there's a fallback on the Saving point. There is some relief and all in all, there really isn't a big deal in dying especially when you know you've visited the save point often.
The Bible says that we are dead to sin but alive in Christ. Jesus calls us to pick up our cross daily and follow him...meaning dying to the old self and being a new creation in Him. Jesus saved us and calls us to remember the saving power of the cross that gives us a hope a future and the love that casts out all fear. This daily dying should not be a big deal compared to what we gain... in that God wipes away all memory of our confessed and repented (turned away) sin but He remembers His own purposes and future of us beyond our imagination! Amazing. The more we return to our saving point, the less we need to fear about dying, because He holds everything we need, our future and our hope. He is everything we need, our future and our hope. (Romans 6:1-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19,  Luke 9:23-24, Hebrews 8:12, Micah 7:18-19, Jeremiah 29:11-14, John 14:6.)