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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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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You know what South Park feels like to me? It feels like randomly waking up in the middle of the night, looking around your bedroom as you think "cripes, it's still not morning yet?" A feeling of waiting for the inevitable, the end, or the beginning. Not so much the contents of the show, none of that needs all that much thought, more so its very existence, which is now apparently transplanting itself into Fortnite.

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