While each title in the original Halo trilogy has a small amount of exploration in it, the central storyline remains a linear experience. If we want to make progress, we must take on the missions and perform the actions that Master Chief has been assigned to do. Sure, we have the flexibility to either walk or pilot a vehicle to get to our destination and pick up a shotgun instead of a battle rifle, but at the end of the day we’re all still following the predetermined path John-117 was designed for. It may seem limiting that we don’t get to select what he says or how he saves the day, but that is kind of the point… this isn’t our story, it’s HIS. The fate of the universe is at stake, so the game doesn’t give us an option to do things our own way. The only question it allows us to answer is “What would the Master Chief do”?

The choice to accept the gift of Christ’s grace and follow Him places our feet on a path that is no longer about pursuing our own will, desires, or preferences. If truly we want to see His will done on this planet and experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives, we have to do it His way and live our lives on His terms. While it may feel reductive or simplistic to ask “What would Jesus do?” before each word we say or action we take, those are the guidelines for today’s missions… because there’s only one way to save the world.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

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The first time I played through the original Halo, I started the single-player campaign under normal difficulty and simply followed the story through to its’ conclusion… but that was only the beginning of my relationship with the game. If I stopped there, I would’ve missed the depth of what has made this series a defining experience for me in many different ways. From playing the game cooperatively and conquering the Legendary difficulty setting, seeking out and finding all of the hidden skulls, and of course the multiplayer matches that kept me coming back for more, my completion of the core campaign was only the beginning. There was so much more to explore, and the deepest rewards only reveal themselves to the most diligent and committed seekers.

While Christ’s work on the cross has offered all of us forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with the Father, our acceptance of this gift is only the beginning of our lifelong pursuit of seeking and finding God. We are called to grow in our faith, continually building a deeper relationship with the Lord by studying and applying His written words, speaking to Him intentionally throughout the day in prayer, and purposefully participating with our fellow members in the body of Christ. His richest treasures are only revealed to those who dig the deepest, so let’s actively seek Him every day.

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

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The Covenant plasma pistol is often one of the most underrated weapons in the Halo series because it is the one that is most frequently used incorrectly. While its’ basic setting can be used to rapidly fire off small pulses of energy, they aren’t very powerful compared to the larger options available in the armory. But when it has been patiently charged for maximum effectiveness, one blast will completely decimate a full energy shield and even stop vehicles dead in their tracks. Firing it impatiently only generates a lot of noise without making much of an impact… but in the hands of a patient gamer who understands how to wield it properly, it is a total game-changer.

Waiting for the Lord to act on my prayers is not always easy, but trying to take matters into my own hands rather than patiently resting in faith is about as useful as rapidly firing a plasma pistol at an incoming Banshee. As excruciating as it can be to wait, it is the combination of our faith in His promises as well as our patience with His timing that results in us seeing the largest mountains in our lives move. Let’s endure our current waiting season in life with the confidence of a Spartan wielding a fully charged plasma pistol… the Lord is never too early or too late, and as we stand firm in our faith we’ll find that we aren’t just sitting and waiting for Him to act. We are charging up. 

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26

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Driving the Warthog in Halo all by yourself works just fine if you are trying to enjoy a nice, leisurely cruise around the installation, but if you are trying to take down an enemy stronghold it sure helps to have a support partner manning the turret. The Warthog has room for three for a reason… it was designed for cooperation across multiple different functions. A stationary player in the turret is a sitting duck who won’t get very far on their own,  and a lone driver without support will quickly find themselves stranded behind enemy lines, sitting next to a useless flaming pile of metal that no longer resembles a vehicle. Operated individually, the turret is exposed to enemy fire and the driver is ineffective at advancing the objective, but when partnered together they are unstoppable.

There are no “lone wolves” in the body of Christ, and seeking to accomplish His purposes without working in tandem with the rest of the body will leave us feeling alone, overwhelmed, frustrated, and ineffective. Some are called to minister with words or songs, others will use their platforms to share those messages, and the entire body will put those words into action in their daily lives to truly advance the cause of Christ on this planet. Let’s each operate in our God-given roles with excellence and gratitude today… every role is essential, and none work without each other.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. Romans 12:4-6b

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

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The “Needler” in Halo may not pack the same punch as a shotgun or a rocket launcher, but its’ ordnance is capable of defeating even the most powerful Spartan because of one devastating detail… the needles track and attach themselves to their target and then explode, draining their protective energy shield and leaving the victim vulnerable for a follow-up attack. Getting stuck by one lone needle typically represents a short-term irritation that can be easily shaken off, but there is typically more where that came from… and as the Needler rains down a “death by a thousand cuts”, these small annoyances can quickly turn into a fatal disruption for any of us.

In my life, I’ve found that it isn’t necessarily the big problems that pull me away from the Lord… those tend to push me directly into His arms for His support. Instead, it’s the small, daily irritants of chronic pain, work stress, or household tasks that slowly weaken my connection with Christ and leave me feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable to the most basic of enemy attacks. These needles that serve as “thorns in the flesh” can be easy to underestimate and difficult to appreciate, but we shouldn’t ignore them or resent them. Instead, let’s recognize them as reminders of our need for the Lord’s grace throughout our day… and when a needle hits, let’s stop and recharge our shields.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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One of the most surprising moments in the entire Halo series was when both the Master Chief and the Arbiter found themselves captured by the hive mind behind the flood, the “Gravemind”. In that moment, these hostile adversaries came to the realization that there was a much greater threat to their existence than the disagreements that brought them to this moment of clarity… the activation of the Halo rings that would result in the destruction of every life form in the universe. The bitter war they had waged against each other had to be put behind them so they could work together and battle the true enemy that had manipulated both of them into this position of division, and by choosing to move forward in unity, they accomplished the mission that neither of them could have achieved without the other.

As long as humans walk this earth we will find areas of disagreement to divide us, but our battles are NOT with flesh and blood… they’re with demonic principalities that set us against each other with a mission of destroying us all. With our TRUE spiritual enemy in mind, let’s align our hearts with the true mission of Christ, not the petty conflicts that are designed to distract us with smaller battles while we lose the war for souls. He came to seek and save, and if we are truly following Him, that’s our priority today, too.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

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The “Brutes” that were introduced in Halo 2 are an interesting character study, demonstrating a fairly nuanced battle strategy that can make them quite difficult to take down… until you learn the secret of disrupting their tactics. While they utilize ranged weapons incredibly effectively and take cover like a disciplined soldier under normal circumstances, if you can pop their helmet off with a well-placed shot they will abandon sound reasoning and enter “berserker” mode. Once they are “enraged” in this manner, they lose all sense of battlefield perspective and begin recklessly pursuing the individual that caused it, making them much easier to outsmart and defeat. 

In the battleground of our minds, the enemy of our souls would like nothing more than to push us into acting from a place of rage and frustration than with the mind of Christ… and if we aren’t careful, we can easily mistake our anger and passion as a form of “holy zeal”. The battles we are called to fight on the behalf of the Lord will never require us to operate outside of His principles of peace, gentleness, and mercy, and the temptation to engage in these conflicts while “enraged” will never generate the righteousness of Christ. Fighting fire with fire is a fool’s errand… let’s keep our helmet of salvation fully secured today so His wisdom can prevail in our minds.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

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The original Halo games that were crafted by Bungie are widely regarded as not only the high points in the series, but rank among some of the best video game experiences of their generation… unfortunately, the campaigns developed by Microsoft’s 343 studios after Bungie’s departure haven’t achieved the same level of success. While the recent titles in the series continue the original story, feature the same characters, and even possess many new and impressive technical enhancements, the original “creator’s touch” is clearly absent from these releases… no matter how hard they try, we can all tell that these games were not made by the original team. Nobody knows Halo better than the hands that lovingly designed this franchise in the first place.

No matter how well intentioned our efforts are in the activities we take on in life, the Lord simply can not bless what He didn’t originate. As our Creator, He designed us with a specific destiny in mind, and only what we build on His foundation will last, both on this planet and in eternity. Rather than waste our time and efforts on pursuits that only advance self-serving goals, let’s prayerfully align our intentions, words, and actions with His divine purposes in all that we do. The Lord will always bless and protect the work of our hands when we build on His unbreakable foundation. 

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. Matthew 7:24-26

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The Master Chief carried the weight of saving the entire universe on his shoulders, so he is never found wasting his limited time or his even more limited words engaging in pointless arguments or unproductive disputes. But being a man of few words has some pretty valuable benefits… rather than expending his energy participating in lengthy dialogue trees that don’t actually resolve any of the conflicts surrounding him, he ignored the comments of others and focused on completing his mission. And because the Chief demonstrated restraint in what he chose to say and when he chose to say it, it added greater meaning and value to his words when he did choose to speak.

Thanks to all of our modern technology, the ability to communicate with each other across the entire planet has never been greater… but to our shame, we often use these gifts to engage in pointless, divisive arguments with others that only diminish the value of our words and distract us from our actual mission. Christ didn’t waste His limited time engaging in petty verbal conflicts, so let’s follow His example and avoid the pitfall of engaging in unproductive conversations that are often fueled by anger rather than guided by His Spirit to share His truth in compassion and love. Harsh words (even when true) spoken without mercy and grace doesn’t save souls… love does.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth. 2 Timothy 2:22-25

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While the original Halo trilogy primarily focuses on the exploits of the Master Chief, the truth is he wouldn’t have made it very far if he didn’t have the voice of Cortana in his helmet to guide him along the way. Even the most powerful Spartan in the universe needed the support of someone who was LITERALLY in his head, helping him achieve mission objectives that he never could have accomplished on his own. Cortana consistently reminded him of his priorities, helped him avoid hidden traps, unlocked doors he couldn’t open, and provided access to information he didn’t possess… and because he chose to listen to her guiding voice, they were an unstoppable team.

We aren’t alone in our missions in life, either… if we have chosen to follow Christ, we have been given the gift of constant access to the very Spirit of God dwelling inside of us to provide us with “in the moment” guidance in every situation we face. And if we choose to place His written word into our minds, His Spirit in us will even bring it to our remembrance in our moments of need. But He can’t answer questions that we don’t choose to ask or remind us of words we’ve never read… so before we start our missions today let’s absorb His word into our hearts as well as intentionally keep the lines of communication open for His wisdom in all we do. Help is just a prayer away.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

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Despite my best intentions, I’ve found that many of my grenade throws in Halo can do more harm than good. Even though I’m exclusively targeting my opposition, the splash damage that these powerful weapons unleash combined with the unpredictable movements of others occupying the same battlefield often causes unwanted harm to those I never intended to impact. Even a perfectly placed plasma grenade stuck to an adversary can still injure a fellow teammate who is in proximity to the blast zone. While advancing my team’s objectives is the name of the game, collateral damage in a team-based game is a pretty good indication that I’m doing it wrong. The best grenade toss is still the worst grenade throw of all time if it injures my own team in the process.

As Christ’s followers, we are called to continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost… but when we throw around our words without allowing them to be properly guided by His Spirit we are essentially lobbing grenades of truth onto the battlefield without seasoning them with His grace and love. Let’s not grieve the Spirit of God by wielding His words like a weapon against the vulnerable souls around us, sharing the wisdom of the Scriptures without proper context. The whole purpose of sharing His good news with others is to reach out in love and set them free.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Galatians 4:5-6

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Ephesians 4:29-31

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The surprise pairing of the Master Chief and the Arbiter that turned these bitter opponents into unlikely allies was one of the best parts of the original Halo trilogy… for both of them to be the heroes that their situations required, they had to put the pain they had previously caused each other behind them and choose to work together. While letting the past actions of the “villains” of each other’s respective stories go wasn’t easy, the mission at hand and the lives that were at stake were much larger than the grudge they were carrying. By releasing their grip on the anger and bitterness that they were carrying towards each other, their hands were finally opened up to receive the help and support the other could give.

Forgiveness is more than a willingness to simply let something go… it is an intentional decision to allow someone who has wronged us in the past to grow. Just like the example that Ananias and Saul showed us, it’s only when we choose to release each other from the burden of the sins that we’ve committed against each other that healing can occur for BOTH of the parties involved. When we show the same grace, mercy and forgiveness that the Lord has given to us to those who have acted in an adversarial manner to us in the past, we will often find the support we have been seeking and praying for was hidden in plain sight all along.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:13-15

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For all of Master Chief’s advantages over his video game peers, he possesses a “limitation” that most of them don’t share. While gaming protagonists like Solid Snake carry an entire armory with them into their respective battles, the Chief is only able to carry two weapons at a time… apparently his armor doesn’t share the same pocket design as Snake’s sneaking gear. But what may seem like a disadvantage is really just a difference between the games they are in and the unique nature of their adventures… the Chief wouldn’t have any use for a cardboard box in the places his story takes him. An unlimited arsenal of equipment choices sounds nice, but the Master Chief’s “limited” load-out has always been more than enough for him to win the day.

The uniqueness of each of our callings for the Lord means that every one of us will be equipped differently for our respective missions… some of us have received talents in speaking, writing, or sharing songs while others have been gifted with earthly resources or serve Him in positions of high visibility to grow the kingdom. Instead of wishing we were chosen for different missions in life or that we possessed the “pockets” of gifts that others received, let’s open our eyes to the callings we were actually given. He didn’t design us with limitations… He crafted each of us for a purpose.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:9-11

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9

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Halo’s move from utilizing their own propriety “Slipspace” technology to announcing they will build all future Halo content using the “Unreal” game engine is a pretty significant decision… the studio has finally accepted the limitations of their own software design and are choosing to use a proven, superior engine going forward. While this was a humbling and costly decision to make, they can’t build the future Halo experiences we all want on an old, flawed, or insufficient foundation. The only way to deliver a new Halo title that is worthy of the name is to change the way they create the game starting from the ground up.

The choice to follow the Lord in our lives must also be accompanied by our willingness to fully submit to His “game engine” in every decision we make if we want to enjoy the blessings and benefits He has promised us. He isn’t an “add-on” or supplemental DLC that we download into our daily routine… the mission of His Spirit is to rebuild our entire way of thinking from scratch on HIS foundation. Trying to simply add His wisdom to our old way of doing things in an attempt to have the best of both worlds will only end in frustration… His promises are real and will always come true, but He can’t bless what He didn’t build. Let’s construct our lives on His foundation and design so we can enjoy His blessings today.

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. Matthew 7:24-27

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

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My most stunning and disappointing defeats in Halo rarely occur at the hands of adversaries like the massive Hunters or the Elite soldiers piloting those lethal Covenant battle tanks. Even though they are incredibly dangerous, I can see these challenges coming in the distance and prepare for them in advance, approaching them with a cautious strategy because I’m fiercely aware of the threat they contain. Instead, it’s actually the tiny grunts that tend to appear out of nowhere with plasma grenades in their hands that cause most of my problems. Their smaller size and seeming insignificance compared to those larger enemies makes them very easy to underestimate, and that is what makes them so deadly. It’s always the little foxes that do the most damage.

The Bible is full of cautionary tales that remind us to guard against the hidden dangers of the “little foxes”… heroes like David and Moses who took down giants and kings but were defeated by one glance at a bathing Bathsheba or striking a rock in an angry outburst. Our most dangerous battles in life are often concealed in the seemingly small temptations of a quick look at something we shouldn’t or giving in to a moment of anger, so let’s guard our minds, eyes, and mouths today against these hidden grenades. Our testimony can be destroyed by one moment of weakness.

Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

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Most of the iconic protagonists from our favorite video game franchises get placed in some pretty unfair situations that would be fairly difficult to appreciate… but the truth is nobody would be interested in playing a game about a plumber who just travels to people’s homes and unclogs their toilets or a furry blue hedgehog who lounges around all day eating chili dogs. The adversaries that pulled them out of their places of comfort and the unpleasant circumstances that pressed them into service may not seem like something to be grateful for on the surface, but the only reason we all know who Mario and Sonic are is because these unwanted predicaments were thrust upon them. The worst things they have endured are actually the BEST things that ever happened to them, and that’s something to be thankful for.

Counting the blessings that make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable is easy, but being grateful and thankful for those situations that cause us discomfort doesn’t come naturally to any of us. But when the Bible tells us to give thanks in ALL things, it is reminding us that even the unpleasant challenges we face in life serve purposes that we should be thankful for, knowing the Lord will use them to press us into our best destiny. Let’s be thankful and bless our enemies… we can’t get where we are going without them.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

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Playing through the original Halo trilogy back when the games first launched vs. replaying them now is a VASTLY different experience. In my first playthrough, this seemingly basic “space marine saves the world” story quickly gave way to some surprising (and occasionally unwelcome) twists and turns. From exposing the hidden purpose of the iconic Halo rings, to the betrayal of 343 Guilty Spark, to former enemy the Arbiter evolving from a lethal adversary to a valuable and critical ally, each chapter wouldn’t have made much sense if played without the added context of the others. But after the trilogy was complete, even the cliffhangers I didn’t appreciate the first time I played them finally made sense… they were serving a larger story.

The story that the Lord is telling through our lives will often feel like chaotically disparate chapters when viewed from our limited perspective, and they aren’t always easy to appreciate while we are living through them. But each event is a very intentional page He has written in our book that won’t necessarily make sense to us until the final sentence is written in both our narrative and the connected stories that are being told in the lives of others. In His perfect time, His purpose for the cliffhangers and betrayals we’re enduring will be fully revealed… and then we’ll finally understand.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

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Launching a new console is not easy or cheap, and in order to remain relevant in the console marketplace a continuing price has to be paid… a price that Microsoft has learned the hard way. But as longtime hardware developers like Atari and Sega as well as newer companies to the party like Google became unwilling to pay the ongoing price of participation, Xbox doubled down and has continued to invest deeply in their commitment to the home console market every year despite the cost. While each iteration of their hardware has consistently sold at a net loss, the only path to the treasure that they are seeking is to see the road through to the end.

The act of “taking up our cross” and following the Lord involves more than just a one-time event of believing in Christ and accepting His grace… it is an ongoing, self-sacrificial journey that will continue for the rest of our lives. Each step we take as we carry our cross will compel us to shed the layers of selfishness that once defined us, and it is a process that is guaranteed to be uncomfortable… crosses are costly, not cozy. But it is in our active, daily choice to pick up a cross that we’d rather not carry that shows we’re truly following in the His footsteps… He would’ve liked a different option as well, but He chose to obey because the reward was worth it.

Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27-30, 33

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:41-42

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Halo Reach, Bungie’s final “swan song” in the Halo universe, was a prequel that set up the entire Halo conflict through the eyes of a brave fireteam of Spartans named “Noble Team”. As each member of the squad lived up to their name and paid the ultimate price in service of their mission, it slowly became clear that none of us were going to survive the events of Reach… but we WERE going to shape the future. As the game built to its powerful, inevitable crescendo, the pain in our journey all finally made sense… our sacrifice preserved the life of the one and only Master Chief, the Spartan who would go on to finish this fight one day. We didn’t win this battle, but our faithful obedience won the war. 

Our struggles in life serve eternal purposes that aren’t always going to be immediately obvious to us while we’re going through them, and many will not reveal their full impact until after our time on this planet has reached its’ conclusion. But if we will obediently yield our lives to the unique challenges our Master has called us to, we’ll find the meaning behind our mission. We are each one part of a sacrificial relay race, carrying the baton as far as we can during our leg of the race before passing it on to the next teammate until the circle is complete… and reaching tomorrow’s souls is paved through the sacrifices of today.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

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