The Christian life is one that is filled with several ups and downs and highs and lows. There are times when we, as Christians, feel like we can accomplish anything and everything, and then there are times when we doubt our faith and feel like we are worthless. The reasons for this are many, but the main reason for this, I believe, is that we belong to two worlds. We have two ideologies, two commitments, two wills that we try to serve. The differences that are found in the world and the differences that are found in Christ are what set us apart from everyone else. We have committed our lives to Christ, but we still must conform to the world to be able to live in it. We also must try to be relevant enough in the world to be effective for Christ. It is quite a unique challenge that we run into.
This whole idea reminds me of Zelda, the Nintendo video game. My family and I recently completed the 1991 game, called ‘Zelda: A Link to the Past’ and it was pretty fun showing my kids how simple and fun games used to be, not that they aren’t fun today, they just seemed simpler and more kid-oriented back in the day. Anyways, back to my point, in the game Link is able to switch between two worlds, a good world and a dark world. Link dies several times (if you play the game like me, that is) but he is always able to come back to life. The good world is more colorful and fun to be in than the dark world. The dark world is full of enemies that are stronger and harder to defeat, so I would say it isn’t as fun. The thing about it, though, is in order for Link to accomplish his task; he must travel between the two worlds to get the job done.
Link’s struggles are very similar to those that we run into. We also have a job to complete that God has tasked us with, and it is one that only we capable of completing. The problem is that life throws us curve balls, and because of that we have a lack of faith at various times throughout our lives (the highs and the lows). Now, I don’t think this will change, I think it is something we will struggle with throughout our life, but imagine if we were able to switch between the two worlds. Imagine if we could visit this spiritual world that would allow us to see the world like God does. We would be able to see the world through God’s eyes, and would be able to see the direst needs, and the needs that we would be able to do something about. That would be pretty cool!
Well, the Holy Spirit allows us to do just that. Sure, it’s not in a visual way that we would all like, but it is most definitely a possibility in a spiritual way. If we learn to meditate on the word of God through prayer and study, we can start to see the world through God’s eyes and we will begin to see the needs of this world that require action from us. We will see those that are hopeless and helpless, and we will be able to provide hope and give help. We will be the hands and feet of Christ, and spread his light throughout the world. This world will never become the good world, but we can show others how to get there. We are to be the mirror and the reflection of the way that the lost can get into that good world.
I encourage you to strive towards the life that Christ has planned for you. He will guide you and show you how to live in this in-between state. Trying to live in the dark world while believing in the ever-lasting life of the light world is a tough concept to grasp. The thing that will always set us apart as Christians from the others that reside in this dark world, is that we carry a piece of the light with us. We have the capability of spreading that light throughout the darkness, and ultimately are able to provide hope. Be encouraged and choose to follow the path that God has put in front of you, it won’t just be you that fulfills a satisfying life, but also those that you are able to make an impact. Link has the luxury of trying to complete his task with life after life, unfortunately we only get one life. We have just one shot at this, just look to Christ to lead the way, and you will make an eternal difference.
In Christ,
Jon
This whole idea reminds me of Zelda, the Nintendo video game. My family and I recently completed the 1991 game, called ‘Zelda: A Link to the Past’ and it was pretty fun showing my kids how simple and fun games used to be, not that they aren’t fun today, they just seemed simpler and more kid-oriented back in the day. Anyways, back to my point, in the game Link is able to switch between two worlds, a good world and a dark world. Link dies several times (if you play the game like me, that is) but he is always able to come back to life. The good world is more colorful and fun to be in than the dark world. The dark world is full of enemies that are stronger and harder to defeat, so I would say it isn’t as fun. The thing about it, though, is in order for Link to accomplish his task; he must travel between the two worlds to get the job done.
Link’s struggles are very similar to those that we run into. We also have a job to complete that God has tasked us with, and it is one that only we capable of completing. The problem is that life throws us curve balls, and because of that we have a lack of faith at various times throughout our lives (the highs and the lows). Now, I don’t think this will change, I think it is something we will struggle with throughout our life, but imagine if we were able to switch between the two worlds. Imagine if we could visit this spiritual world that would allow us to see the world like God does. We would be able to see the world through God’s eyes, and would be able to see the direst needs, and the needs that we would be able to do something about. That would be pretty cool!
Well, the Holy Spirit allows us to do just that. Sure, it’s not in a visual way that we would all like, but it is most definitely a possibility in a spiritual way. If we learn to meditate on the word of God through prayer and study, we can start to see the world through God’s eyes and we will begin to see the needs of this world that require action from us. We will see those that are hopeless and helpless, and we will be able to provide hope and give help. We will be the hands and feet of Christ, and spread his light throughout the world. This world will never become the good world, but we can show others how to get there. We are to be the mirror and the reflection of the way that the lost can get into that good world.
I encourage you to strive towards the life that Christ has planned for you. He will guide you and show you how to live in this in-between state. Trying to live in the dark world while believing in the ever-lasting life of the light world is a tough concept to grasp. The thing that will always set us apart as Christians from the others that reside in this dark world, is that we carry a piece of the light with us. We have the capability of spreading that light throughout the darkness, and ultimately are able to provide hope. Be encouraged and choose to follow the path that God has put in front of you, it won’t just be you that fulfills a satisfying life, but also those that you are able to make an impact. Link has the luxury of trying to complete his task with life after life, unfortunately we only get one life. We have just one shot at this, just look to Christ to lead the way, and you will make an eternal difference.
In Christ,
Jon
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