Over the last few weeks, my ability to play Dragon Quest 11 has been hit and miss. Between serving at camps and work, my time has been limited. I’m so thankful for our Tuesday Night Play and Pray streams because they’ve given me the perfect excuse to play Dragon Quest. If you’ve been part of our streams, then you’ve probably heard my speech on how much I appreciate the screen below.
A significant problem with most (J)RPGs is the ability to return to a game after an extended absence. Life happens. You get busy with obligations like work, school, family, etc. Then when you finally have an opportunity to jump back into a game, you’re completely lost. You have no idea what you’re doing or where you were going. You can barely remember the story beats of the game. The frustration builds as you do your best to reacclimate to the game. Players do one of two things; charge through and figure it out, or they just quit.
This is what makes Dragon Quest 11 so great. As soon as you boot the game up, it gives you a recap. It reminds you of where you are; what you’re doing and gives you clues as to where to go. This mechanic is one of the primary reasons I have become a fan of this game so quickly. I sometimes need to be reminded about what on earth is happening.
This need to be reminded; is not limited to missions and side quests in games; it’s needed in life. So often, we get so distracted with other life aspects; that life missions, goals, and dreams can become lost in a sea of activity. Unfortunately, I see this happen with people’s walks with God. They have been given a mission to reach the lost, grow in their relationship with God, and live a life fully surrendered to Him. But life happens. Family events come up. Choosing to prioritize extracurricular activities like sports or video games begins to distract or hinder opportunities to encounter God. Before long, some begin to say, “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian,” when people begin to ask how you are in your walk with God.
I’m not saying family events, sports, and social activities are bad, but when we allow them to distract us from our mission, it becomes harder to walk in what God has for us. So, what should we do when finding ourselves in this spot. We need to boot up the original loading screen that every believer has, the Bible. Like the loading screen in Drago Quest 11, the Bible does a great job of reminding us of what our mission is. It does a great job of reminding us of what we have in our hands and how to grow.
I want to encourage you with the words of John, which he wrote to the church in Ephesus. In chapter two, he begins by commending them on their good works and faith. But then he says this to them in verses 4 and 5 of Revelation.
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first…”
Revelation 2:4-5 (English Standard Version | ESV)
Examine your hearts and minds. Where are you in your walk with God? Have you forgotten your first love? Is it time to booth that loading screen and discover where to go and how to grow? Lean into the Lord; open your Bible and begin to seek Him. Go to a private place and beign to pray and ask the Lord to restore you and help you to grow in him.