I would hazard a guess that many of you are grandparents, aunts, or uncles. Or you know someone who is a child/youth. Most of them are gamers. Nintendo, Xbox, Minecraft, etc. You start out as a novice beginner and then “level up” to expert or “master”. I remember watching my nephew Johnny play Super Mario when he was not much older than three. I was amazed at how good he was. When he let me try, and my turn lasted about ten seconds, he said, Uncle Arthur, you’re not very good. Let me show you”. His turn went on for a good seven minutes (seemed like forever) before I inwardly sighed and walked away. Shown up by my little nephew!

Spiritually, we may fall into a trap of considering ourselves progressing in levels. In my first call as a pastor, I cringed when a member reflected that a fellow member was “not as far along in their faith journey”. What was not said but inferred was ending that with…”as I am.” Or worse, “that’s not in the Bible I read.” New Christ followers are hungry. Blest are the ones who have a spiritual guide who does not judge them for being a late bloomer. If we’re not careful, we may find ourselves in a plateau if we feel we aren’t progressing or “leveling up.” We want to go deep but if, for example, we try centering prayer and don’t feel that deep connection, we get discouraged. It’s like “trying” to go to sleep, as if extraordinary effort is required to drift off into slumber. We may even think there is no end to the levels of achievement since, after all, God is eternal. We might even find ourselves getting a little competitive with our brother or sister in Christ. “I haven’t seen you in church or Bible study; I never miss.” I think it is more about discovering, being. “Doing” our faith is certainly important, but reaching “Level Ten” or whatever? Not so much. We do not live as spiritual beings in isolation, in our own “game room.” We who are aunts and uncles and grandparents look upon our youngest ones ruefully as they engage in their games on their phones, thinking they are not connected. They are, but what if their engagement was about matters of spirituality and faith and not trying to blow your opponent to bits in “Minecraft”? I’m just spitballin’…

I don’t think Jesus approves of levels spirituality. Don’t try to be like God. Just follow and learn how to be engaged in the game of life. Always remember He loves unconditionally.

Pastor Art