Lando’s friendliness and hospitality towards Han Solo and Leia in “The Empire Strikes Back” hid a dark secret… Lando had made a “deal with the devil” to turn them over to Darth Vader and the Empire in exchange for his continuing freedom and the promised safe release of some of his friends. But Lando was in over his head, and as he came to the painful realization that “this deal is getting worse all the time”, he had a choice to make. Instead of continuing to walk down a path that promised pleasure while demanding an increasing price he couldn’t continue to pay, he chose to make a better deal and was reborn as the heroic General he was always meant to be.

The little compromises that we make with sinful temptations in our lives always contain hidden costs, and as people from the Bible like Samson found out these “deals with the devil” only get worse over time until they eventually take everything away from us. Rather than enjoy the poisonous fruits of sin for a season, let’s slam the door closed on every tempting thought that makes promises that it won’t honor and always ends up costing more than the price tag shows. The best deal we can ever make for ourselves is to give up what we can’t keep in exchange for the priceless gift of salvation from our Heavenly Father that we could never afford.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:25-26

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

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The journey of Anakin Skywalker may be a little hard to accept from some of us… and perhaps that’s because we don’t believe he deserved his final redemptive arc. Anakin’s fall from grace wasn’t simply a matter of having an alternate viewpoint on the Jedi order… he betrayed them and all who loved him to become a heartless, cold-blooded monster who embodied the very evil he had spent his life fighting against. But maybe that’s why his story resonates with us… if there was still a flicker of hope for such a bitter and undeserving villain like Darth Vader to see the light and fulfill his destiny, perhaps there’s still hope for all of us who’ve lost our way, too.

Christ didn’t come down to earth to find the souls He considered the worthiest and offer them salvation… He came to seek out and save all who are willing to receive Him, which includes the very worst of us. All of us are fallen sinners undeserving of His grace, but through His mercy every repentant heart can receive redemption from our selfish and sinful decisions, turn away from our past mistakes, and enjoy a “new hope” in Him. No matter how far we have fallen or how “hopeless” we may seem, He still offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration to all who fall at His feet… I know this to be true because He did it for me, and He’ll do it for you.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

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To be honest, I had given up any hope that there could be a redemptive arc for “Crosshair” from the Bad Batch series… after he revealed that his merciless actions in service to the Empire did not came from an inhibitor chip but were from his own self-righteous beliefs, it seemed like he was lost for good. But his cold heart shifted the day that he chose to sacrificially pick up and carry an injured fellow trooper through dangerous and freezing conditions for miles… a soldier who was as hopelessly broken and damaged externally as Crosshair was internally. But in that moment, Crosshair didn’t judge his fallen brother for how he got into that position or leave him behind because he was a hopeless case… he simply picked him up and carried him back to base.

Our relationship with the Lord is an incredible, unearned gift, but if receiving His grace makes us think we’re better than those who’ve fallen or are on the outside of our faith, we’ve completely missed the point. All His children are fellow brothers and sisters that we’ve been instructed to pick up and carry back to base… regardless of how they got there in the first place. We were given His gift of love and mercy so we can carry it to others who are in need, and that includes those we may consider to be hopeless cases… because we were once a hopeless case, too.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:1-3

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

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Star Wars characters giving their lives in a final act of sacrifice is nothing new but losing Tech in Star Wars: The Bad Batch hit me pretty hard. I could never personally relate to the incredible athleticism of Anakin or the heroism and wisdom of Obi-Wan, but in the unique squad of misfits collectively known as “Clone Force 99” I finally found the one Star Wars character that I could personally identify with… the nerdy, slightly awkward one with the glasses and the receding hairline. Tech was my favorite, and I thought he was headed towards a happy ending… until the situation called for Plan 99 and he gave his life to save his teammates. He might not have been very good at articulating his feelings, but through his actions he demonstrated the greatest love of all.

In a world that is quick to execute “Order 66” when we disagree with each other, we are called to be the living, breathing embodiment of “Plan 99” and show Christ’s self-sacrificial love to everyone we meet and in everything we do. His love is not some bubbly, magical feeling inside of us… it is a choice we make to do the right thing, the hard thing, and the self-sacrificial thing in those moments when we would prefer not to. This world will only know as much about the love of Christ as we show in our actions, so to quote Tech’s final words, “There is no time. Plan 99.”

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:12-13

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

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The doomed relationship between Padmé and Anakin in the Star Wars prequels is one of the most heartbreaking parts of the entire saga… two star-crossed lovers torn apart by past pains and unresolved issues that ultimately led to the most tragic outcome possible. Anakin never took the time to fully process the grief he carried from his past or deal with his frustrations to the point of resolution, and his inability to reach a place of inner peace completely undermined his efforts to bring peace to both his home as well as his galaxy. The old adage that “people who are hurting hurt other people” was proven to be true… it’s only when we allow our private pain to be healed that we can be a conduit for peace.

We all endure times of testing, trials, and pain on this planet, but if we hold onto these pockets of hurt and grief instead of submitting them fully to Christ for healing, we will only end up hurting the people that we love the most. The Lord sees and understands our pain, He can relate to every heartache we will ever experience, and He is as near to our broken hearts as we allow Him to be. Let’s lay down the burdens that our past and present traumas have inflicted on us, call out to Him for healing, and surrender our pain into His loving arms. The first step to helping others is to allow the Great Physician to heal our hearts first.

As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:16-17, 22

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

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In Star Wars: A New Hope, there was a defining moment during the infamous “trench run” on the Death Star when Obi-Wan Kenobi instructed Luke to let go of what he thought he needed to fulfill his mission (the onboard targeting system) and reach out through the force instead. While these tools were intended to help him, Luke’s reliance on them was hindering him from achieving his goals because they restricted his sight to what was visible in the physical realm. It was only when Luke shut them down and placed his faith in what he couldn’t physically see that his path to victory finally became possible.

Walking by faith is more than simply trusting in the Lord to do His part… it means consciously letting go of all our perceived limitations and closing down anything in our lives that tempts us to lean on our own understanding instead of His. The Lord has promised to supply every one of our needs, but many times His provision isn’t fully revealed to us until we’ve removed all those distractions and stopped depending on our own capabilities for the answers to our prayers. Let’s allow the Lord to guide us in all we do today, even if we can’t see how it will all work out from our vantage point. Belief doesn’t transform into faith until we choose to close our eyes, let go of what we see, and follow His voice.

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 4:18

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

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In the first six Star Wars movies, Obi-Wan Kenobi was presented as a consistent beacon of light who shined brightly in even the most hopeless of situations, but in the time period between the “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope” his entire world was flipped upside down. Obi-Wan’s beloved Jedi Order had fallen, his best friend had betrayed him, and his faith had ebbed to its lowest point. Haunted by all the pain and losses he’d endured, Obi-Wan felt like he had become disconnected from the force… the very source of his strength. But Obi-Wan hadn’t been forgotten or forsaken, and his most critical mission had just begun. What looked like defeat was just a season of trials and tribulations that he had to endure before a new hope could dawn.

We will all face periods of time in life when it feels like the darkness has surrounded us, but we can’t permit the difficulty level of the trials that we’re facing to disconnect us from our faith in Christ, no matter how challenging they are. The Lord’s strength wasn’t revealed by how He AVOIDED His struggles, but by how He faithfully ENDURED His times of pain and suffering. Our light is most necessary when the darkness is the most prevalent, so let’s hold fast to our faith through our storm… we WILL experience the joy of a new hope on the other side of this battle.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. Hebrews 10:32-33, 35-36

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

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While there were many contributing factors that led to the downfall of Anakin Skywalker, one of the largest is how he took the special gifts that he had been given for granted. From an early age Anakin demonstrated skills far beyond his years, but even when he was given opportunities that others would never receive, he still wanted more and was never satisfied. His incredible gifts never seemed to be quite enough for him… Anakin was a talented and respected Jedi knight who needed the position of master to validate him, an unparalleled force user who was so completely consumed with his need for “more” that he failed to recognize and appreciate all of the things that he had already been given.

When we are in a position of either want or need, it can be easy to take all of the gifts that we’ve already been given for granted… and when we fail to see and appreciate the blessings and favor that the Lord has already given to us, our lack of gratitude becomes a poison that slowly chokes all of the joy from our lives and replaces it with bitterness and resentment. Let’s take a moment to be truly thankful for the unmerited grace and love we’ve received from the Father… the only path to having peace and joy at ALL times is to never permit what we lack to steal our joy from the blessings that we already possess.

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 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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One of the reasons I believe the original Star Wars has stood the test of time is because the original “rebels” we fell in love with weren’t the traditional “hero squad” we’d expect to take on and defeat the larger, better organized Empire. Our heroes were a pair of orphans, a wanted smuggler and his partner in crime, a couple of eccentric droids, and a bizarre old hermit… a crew that on the surface would have been deemed unqualified or unfit for service by most people when assembling a “dream team”. But these ragtag rebels with their complicated backstories and their unique skills were exactly what this story called for… misfits who happened to be the perfect fit for this specific mission.

The Lord doesn’t look at our past issues or our even our present status in life the same way we do when choosing who He will use… He looks at our heart. Jesus selected some unqualified fishermen, an unpopular tax collector, a woman with a history of demonic possession, and a few other “scoundrels” and He commissioned them to go out and change the world… and they did. Let’s not be discouraged by who we once were or even what we are now… no matter what our past or present holds, He knew it all before He ever selected us to follow Him. And He still chose us as the perfectly cast “misfits” for our missions, too!

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

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Many of the most memorable characters in the Star Wars franchise are introduced to us with a problematic background painted in shades of gray… characters such as Bo-Katan Kryze, a Mandalorian warrior who errantly joined a rogue faction known as the “Death Watch” to pursue her goals of a stronger, united Mandalore. While she had positive intentions, she had chosen the wrong allies that led her down a very dark and compromising path to achieve them. Possessing a few similar goals didn’t mean they shared her core values or convictions, and they ultimately betrayed both her and their cause. Following her own way only led to the very outcome she was trying to prevent… fulfilling her destiny meant she had to find and follow the one true “way”.

Even our most noble and well-intended actions are doomed to failure when they aren’t aligned with the Lord’s will and His “way” … there aren’t any shortcuts He will accept to achieve His purposes and His plans are non-negotiable, leaving no room for compromise. Our efforts to accomplish His will without following His way will only result in frustration and failure, so let’s yield full control of our minds and the temptation to do things our own way. The Lord never asked us to understand His directions… He simply told us to trust and obey them. His way isn’t just the best way… it’s the only way.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

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Final Fantasy X is one of my personal favorites in the franchise for many different reasons, but the awareness level of Tidus, the game’s protagonist, is NOT one of those reasons. Throughout the game, it became obvious to every character EXCEPT for him that he was not who or where he thought he was, but rather than accept the truth of what was right in front of his eyes he continued along in a blissfully oblivious state until his reality could no longer be ignored. While Tidus still ultimately served his purpose to sacrificially save the world despite despite the ramifications this held for him personally, he could’ve saved himself a lot of heartache along the way if he had simply been willing to open up his eyes to the truth.

While there are many forms of deception that I’ve grappled with in my life, the most dangerous and costly has been self-deception. My stubborn refusal to follow the Lord’s clearly stated will for me because it was inconvenient for me to accept at the time has always ended badly and caused so much unnecessary pain. While I won’t always like or appreciate the mirror His Word holds up to my face, He challenges our thoughts and motives to reveal truth and prevent future pain. Let’s open our eyes to His guidance for us that we might prefer to ignore… His unpopular answers are for both our present as well as our eternal good.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” Isaiah 44:20

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Like most game series that have survived from their original 8-bit NES incarnations into the modern era of photo-realistic graphics, Final Fantasy has come a VERY long way. When this franchise first started in all of its original pixel-based glory, nobody would have ever imagined it would grow over the years and transform into some of the most graphically impressive games of each console generation. But while the dream was always there, the graphical capabilities of the hardware didn’t exist to fully realize that vision until now… and now that the technology has finally caught up with the imagination of the team, we get to experience these stories in all of the fullness of the design team’s intentions.

The Lord places dreams and desires in our hearts for us to fulfill them, but there is still a growing period we must experience before His vision will reach fruition. Just as Joseph grew his character and his leadership skills in his roles as a servant and a prisoner before he was elevated to his destiny as second in command of Egypt, the Lord builds each of us up slowly… not because He is testing us, but because He is TRAINING us. His plan for us requires our “hardware” to catch up to our calling, so let’s embrace each challenge we face as a part of growing into His larger destiny for us. These small beginnings have big endings.

I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. Exodus 23:29-30

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zechariah 4:10a

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While most traditional role-playing games tend to utilize a “party” system that involves an eclectic cast of characters, the Final Fantasy series has certainly demonstrated some exceptional range. From brooding protagonists like Cloud who had little to say to enthusiastic lead characters like Tidus who can’t seem to keep a single thought private, each game is filled with a selection of classic RPG archetypes like a soldier or a healer as well as a few unique choices like a robot cat or a big red lion. But this incredible diversity is one of the franchise’s greatest strengths, understanding that we don’t need copies of each character in our party. We need each of them to be exactly who they are, combining their unique gifts and skill sets together to deliver the victory as a team.

The body of Christ is full of an equally unique cast of characters, with each of us gifted in specific ways so we can serve Him in different capacities on this mission field. Just as a Final Fantasy party isn’t complete without each member serving a complimentary role that supports the needs of the squad, our differences are what the Lord uses to grow our ability to reach others and complete our mission. Let’s work together with respect for each others calling and gifts, even if some serve Him in a different manner than us. We are all part of one body, united by Christ to reach the world.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 1 Corinthians 12:15-18

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There are a handful of moments in gaming history that are forever etched in my memory for being undeniably shocking and painfully unforgettable… and (spoiler alert) the sudden ending of Aerith’s journey at the conclusion of disc one in Final Fantasy VII stands as one of the most prominent. While this is hardly the first time (or the last time) that I experienced a gaming character “moving on”, this one hit especially hard because of how unnecessary it felt at the time. But despite my disappointment at this unwanted plot twist, there were still two more discs left to complete… while this action couldn’t be prevented or undone, after respectfully mourning her loss it was time for me to move forward in hope and finish the story. 

Throughout our lives, we will all be faced with tragic events that threaten to steal our hope, break our spirits, and stall our journey. And while it is right for us to pause and mourn these losses, they don’t represent the conclusion of our story… just the end of this “disc”. As King David found when he was praying through a heartbreaking tragedy of his own, our loving Father sees and catches every tear that we cry… and even though He doesn’t always intervene the way we would prefer or reverse what has happened, the Lord has at least two more discs of content for us as well as an ending that will make this all worth it.

You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

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After the well-received adventures of the grittier and brooding protagonists of Final Fantasy VII (Cloud) and Final Fantasy VIII (Squall), the developers of Final Fantasy IX went in an entirely different creative direction for the next game in the series. The story of Zidane and his crew felt like a throwback to the games from the cartridge-based Nintendo era both in tone as well as in art style. While the initial reactions to this shift was mixed, FFIX provided fans with the perfect breath of fresh air for the Final Fantasy franchise as it transitioned into the PlayStation 2 era. It may not have felt like a logical progression for the series at that time, but it was exactly what was needed.

The ways that the Lord chooses to answer our prayers in life will rarely fit into a predictable pattern. Even when Jesus performed healings for those who were afflicted with blindness or born lame, He chose to perform each of those miracles in ways that were customized to the individual recipient… and to this day He still responds to our requests based on the specific needs of each of His unique children. Instead of expecting Him to answer our prayers in the same way that He has for others or in a manner that makes sense to us, let’s accept that the Lord may choose to respond to our situation in a different way… one we didn’t know we needed until His work is completed.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”. Isaiah 55:8-9

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

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The Final Fantasy franchise is one of the longest-running gaming series in history, and while there are a handful of stories that have received a spin-off or a proper prequel/sequel, most of the games have very little in common with each other… at least on the surface. Almost every game in this collection features their own specific protagonist, takes place on different planets, and even have unique styles of gameplay. But they also share many similarities despite their unconnected plots, as each tends to feature some sort of “mana” to power special abilities, many include a “Cid” somewhere, and the story usually involves an eclectic cast of characters coming together to save their world. They are all part of one “family” of games, even if they each tell separate stories.

When reading the Bible it can be challenging to balance the wisdom and beauty of the Psalms and Proverbs with the bitterness and heartache of Ecclesiastes and Jeremiah. But the truth is that ALL of Scripture is inspired by the Lord, and that includes the parts that we don’t like or fully understand. Each story is part of an intricate tapestry… a series of books and letters written by multiple people that may seem to have little in common, but all of which share the same Author. And when they are combined together, they form one timeless love letter from our Savior to us all.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27

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My favorite part of the Kingdom Hearts franchise has always been the incredible diversity of all of the characters that make it up. Gaming icons such as Cloud Strife and Auron from the Final Fantasy series battle alongside Disney’s Donald and Goofy… all while exploring levels based on films featuring cinematic icons like Jack Sparrow or Tron. But this incredible mix of complicated protagonists and larger-than-life cartoon characters works because they’re all serving the same story in different ways… saving the world takes a team who understands that the things that make each of them unique and different from each other is what gives this team its strength.

We’re all called to serve the same Lord, but we will each serve Him in different ways… and the uniqueness of our calling and purpose means it will look different for every one of us. The diverse ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus meant that one of them lived off of locusts and honey in the desert while the other ate and drank with those He was sent to save… each of them served the same kingdom in different ways based on the specific calling they were given by the Father. Rather than expect every member of this team to follow Christ in an identical manner, let’s embrace the way we’ve been gifted to serve Him… as a kingdom of unique hearts joined together as one.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” But wisdom is justified by her children. Matthew 11:18-19

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 12:4-5a

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While Kingdom Hearts is a fairly linear gaming experience, it doesn’t mean that every item that our missions require or each character we are tasked with helping are easily discovered… many are only revealed when we are forced off of our preferred path and into an area that we never intended to explore. While these moments may seem like an undesired time-wasting detour at first, they are often the places where I discovered something that I didn’t even know I should be searching for. Whether it was a valuable item that changed the way I played the game or a path to helping someone I didn’t know was there, these unwanted diversions helped to push Sora to places he wouldn’t have reached any other way.

We will all face unwanted detours in life, but these inconvenient situations are often used by the Lord to advance His kingdom in ways that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Many times, these are the paths that He uses to guide us to our destiny the same way Joseph found in his journey from prison to prince, and other times these diversions are actually a divine intersection to reach one singular soul for Christ like Paul and the repentant jailer. If we allow Him to open our eyes to the possibilities beyond our present discomfort, we will find that He truly does work out all things for good… according to His purposes, not ours.

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

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

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Who remembers the first big decision we all had to make in Kingdom Hearts… making the choice between taking the sword, the shield, or the staff?  At such an early stage of the game, I didn’t feel prepared to make a decision that could have long-lasting ramifications on how I played the game. But that wasn’t the last choice I had to make… along the way, I made decisions about how to level up my party, which items to equip, and the order I took on challenges. Some were the right call for me and my style of play, and others were choices I’d later regret. Either way, the game would reveal if these were wise or foolish choices… and I was the one who’d have to deal with the fallout. All of us play the same game, but how we get to our ending is a unique story… no two play-throughs are identical.

It’s easy to be critical of the way others play the game of life, and judging how our fellow servants follow Christ (even with the best of intentions) is far above our pay grade. How do we know what choices others felt forced to make before they fully understood that decision? And how do we know what they had to give up in exchange? We will all start in different places, serve the Lord in different ways, and follow different paths to His endgame, so let’s resist the urge to judge. That is the fatal first step into self-righteousness. 

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. Romans 14:10-13

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In Kingdom Hearts, I have often found that it is the intentional choices I make BEFORE a mission to prepare for it that determines how it winds up playing out. From deciding how to invest the skill points that I’ve acquired to which items I equip before entering into battle, I either set Sora and his pals up for success or unintentionally increase the degree of difficulty. A wise explorer takes the time to thoughtfully allocate their “XP” to critical skills and equip their very best gear before entering into areas that could potentially require them, and taking on the challenges of the game poorly equipped or under-prepared always ends with reloading a previous save to try again. We don’t always know what’s coming, but we should always be prepared and equipped for anything.

All of us will face some real-world battles today, and how we choose to prepare for them BEFORE they happen is the key to experiencing victory over these challenges. Let’s start our day out by putting our armor on… intentionally absorbing the Lord’s words into our hearts ensures we are fully equipped for whatever challenges we will face, and taking time to prayerfully seek His guidance before every decision we make opens us up to applying the “XP” of His divine wisdom. Let’s suit up… the Lord wouldn’t have provided us with all of this armor if we weren’t going to need it today.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

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