Guyzone: get your game face on
25th November 2010 by Nathan Casey
So a couple weeks back I purchased a new computer game that I have been waiting all year to get my hands on!
Now, this game is very special because it features someone who hasn't been in a game for as long as I've been playing games (that's a long time now – I had an Atari!)
The game I bought is a basketball game called NBA 2K11.
For those of you older than 25, you would realise how exciting it is to be able to play a basketball game and get to use the great MICHAEL JORDAN! The rest of you young'uns need to realise how privileged you are to be able to use "His Royal Highness"!
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7C_QMXTxI
I'll stop sounding like an old man now and get to the point!
The point is, all that is running through my head at the moment is this game, so I figured I'd draw some comparisons between playing NBA 2K11 and following Jesus (surprisingly I found a few!!)
5 Ways That Following Jesus is like playing NBA 2K11!!
Teamwork
This is an obvious one right?
In 2K11 you can't do it alone, even if you want to and even if you're using Jordan!! You also can't rely on just one person on your team, right?
Following Jesus is all about teamwork. In advancing the kingdom we can't do it ourselves, and we can't just rely on others to do it for us! We all have a part to play. We all have specific gifts and are a part of the same body!
I can't do it all myself. Your officer/youth pastor can't do it all themselves. Play your part/role, do it well, no matter how important you think it is!! Even if you think what you do doesn't count for much, it can make a real difference!! (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-22 & 27)
Tell others
When you enjoy something or think something is a priority, you tell other people, don't you?
Just like I'm telling you how much I enjoy this game!! Not only do you tell your friends/family/neighbours/anyone who will listen, but you invite them to join in the experience with you, don't you?
Following Jesus is not something we should do and keep quiet about! We should be telling others about our adventures! Not only just telling them but urging them to join in on the journey!!
If we told as many people about what Jesus was doing in our lives as we tell people about good games/TV shows/movies, then we'd see the world saved in no time!!
Self control
I have to admit this is a tough one!
When playing 2K11, this is sooooooooooo tough! I have been playing through "my player" mode, which means you start off as a rookie and work your way up through the ranks. Your player is really bad at the start – this makes for some very frustrating moments! I have to use all my energy to control myself from either throwing my controller or blurting out expletives!
When following Jesus, this is soooooooooooo tough! Luckily for us we have a helper, The Holy Spirit, who helps us when we want to blurt out expletives or when we have urges to let our body take over! If you have trouble with self control, ask the Holy Spirit to come give you a hand – I think you'll be surprised by the difference it can make!!
Community
Life is more fun and rewarding when you share it with others!
2K11 is the most fun when you are playing it with other people! You get to interact, trash-talk, hi-five, laugh and cry, etc – together! (Unlike playing by yourself, where you just look crazy!)
Following Jesus is at its best when you do it with other people!! That's why we have church. We get to laugh/cry/hi-five/share together (maybe leave out the trash talk)! It is the most rewarding way to live life!!
A New Start
The Good News!!
In 2K11, if you stuff up or make a mistake – you just restart! It's that easy! (And hopefully it hasn't auto-saved!)In life we make mistakes and we stuff up, right? Unfortunately, in life we can't just press the reset button!
The good news about following Jesus is, when we do stuff up, if we repent, we can be forgiven and start again!
Even better news is that we don't have to keep living life making mistakes! Jesus helps us from making the same mistakes – this is called sanctification, or holiness (check this out with your youth pastor/Corps Officer).
Maybe its time for me to turn off the PS3 and enjoy the adventure of following Jesus!
Peace!!
By Nathan Casey
save. grow. serve.
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Comments
An excellent analogy Nathan. I too remember 'Prince Michael' or 'Air Jordan' and enjoyed watching the 'Chicago Bulls' beat... well, just about any other team in the 1990's!
An interesting tidbit about Michael Jordan is that in his school years, he was told by his coach that he wasn't good enough to play pro ball so over the holidays he practiced non stop.... also grew a few inches which helped but his dogged determination about being told that he was no good and not accepting it made him the champion that he was.
I wonder how many other MORE readers can relate to these experiences? Blessings mate! Cadet Steve