Launching a new console is neither easy nor cheap, and in order to remain relevant in the “console wars” a continuing price has to be paid… a price that Microsoft learned the hard way. But while hardware developers like Sega and Google were unwilling to pay the ongoing price and watched their dreams crumble as a result, Xbox doubled-down and continued to invest deeply in their commitment to the home console market every year… because while each iteration of their hardware has sold at a net loss, the only path to the treasure they are seeking is to see the road through to the end.

The act of “taking up our cross” involves more than a one-time event of accepting Christ and 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 choice to carry a cross that we’d rather not carry that shows we’re actually following in His footsteps… and that is where the true treasure is finally found.

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And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but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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As most new consoles typically do, the original Xbox console launched with an entirely new design for their controller that was… well, let’s just say it was unique. The “Duke”, as it was affectionately nicknamed, was nearly THREE times the size of Sony’s PlayStation controller, making it incredibly bulky and difficult to use for gamers with smaller hands. While this over-sized controller certainly had its’ fans (and still does), it wasn’t a fit for every gamer’s hands, forcing Microsoft to pivot to the smaller and more universally accessible “Controller S”. The best games in the world still wouldn’t bring new players to their platform until they made a controller that every player could hold.

In His time here on earth, Christ routinely broke down complicated spiritual concepts by using parables to make His messages accessible to all who were seeking truth, and He’s called us to do the same. As the ambassadors of Christ on earth, we are called to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s leading and share His truth in a manner that fits the learning needs of others, not our personal preferences. Let’s be the light that makes finding Him easier for others today.

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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When Microsoft purchased Mojang, the studio responsible for Minecraft, fans were worried this would mean that this incredibly popular series would become an Xbox exclusive going forward. But Microsoft didn’t purchase this franchise to remove its’ access from other consoles… instead, they saw the value in continuing to support the growth of Minecraft on every platform available, including those they are technically “competing” against. Their goal wasn’t just to grow their Xbox brand… they wanted Minecraft to be successful no matter where or how someone chose to play it.

We are each called to unique ministries and services to the Lord, but we’re all on the same side regardless of our “platform”… to shine the light of Christ in the darkness. Some may be called to positions that offer a larger audience with millions of views and thousands of “likes”, while others of us will quietly plant seeds in places that offer little recognition on this side of eternity… but we’re all working in the same field, just in different positions. Whether we plant or water, let’s serve with joy and support each other as we mine this field together.

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. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6

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While each current console developer has their own specific naming style for each version of their hardware, Microsoft’s has been, well… a little confusing. After their original system was simply called the “Xbox”, they went with Xbox 360 for their next console before completely descending into madness by naming their third hardware iteration the “Xbox One”… followed by the “Xbox One X” because why not. Sure, a progressive numbering system would be easier for everyone, but Microsoft didn’t see them as mere sequels to what came before… to them, each console was something entirely new.

In our rebirth in Christ, we are not just a new and enhanced version of what we once were… when we truly accept His Lordship in our life we become a new creation in His eyes. While our inner transformation is a lifelong process of continuing growth, we are not simply the same person with a clean slate and a new calling… we carry an entirely new name and can walk into the destiny He has for us with confidence. No matter what others call us or if we once identified as “forsaken” or “desolate”, He delights in us and He calls us “beautiful”.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4

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Halo 3 was all about “finishing the fight” that was left incomplete at the end of Halo 2, and after years of painful waiting gamers dropped into the conclusion of the original Halo trilogy to see how Bungie would finally resolve the conflict with Covenant. While it seemed like a long time between installments for us, for the developer it was a relatively short development cycle for a AAA game… especially one that had to live up to such high expectations and would conclude this story arc for multiple characters. The wait felt long, but the stakes were high… so the “delay” was necessary.

While waiting on the Lord is one of my least favorite activities in life, He has a reason for what appears to be a “delay” in what we are seeking. The doors that He opens for us may represent the closure of a door for someone else, and in His infinite mercy He will wait until the perfect time for both of those to occur by holding the door open to the last possible moment. And in the meantime, He wants us to find the beauty and purpose in the places we are currently occupying as we continue on the path He has designed for us to its’ conclusion.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

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While many gamers await the much anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro, Microsoft has introduced a few new options of its own. There isn’t a new Xbox Pro model or anything just yet, but for the first time, we are getting an all-digital Xbox Series X.

The new all-digital version, available in Robot White, offers 1TB of storage and all the speed and performance of the standard Xbox Series X. The new model looks very similar to the regular hardware; the only major difference is the absence of a disc drive. This model will retail for $449.99, which represents a $50 savings over the disc drive version.

Microsoft has long stated its intention to build a mobile app store as an alternative to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It turns out we won’t have to wait too long to see this storefront launching.

Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed during the Bloomberg Technology Summit that Microsoft would launch a mobile game store in July. The store would launch with Microsoft’s own games before later opening up to other publishers. Microsoft will also offer discounted in-game items for titles like Candy Crush.

Microsoft has long stated its intention to build a mobile app store as an alternative to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It turns out we won’t have to wait too long to see this storefront launching.

Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed during the Bloomberg Technology Summit that Microsoft would launch a mobile game store in July. The store would launch with Microsoft’s own games before later opening up to other publishers. Microsoft will also offer discounted in-game items for titles like Candy Crush.

Microsoft has long stated its intention to build a mobile app store as an alternative to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It turns out we won’t have to wait too long to see this storefront launching.

Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed during the Bloomberg Technology Summit that Microsoft would launch a mobile game store in July. The store would launch with Microsoft’s own games before later opening up to other publishers. Microsoft will also offer discounted in-game items for titles like Candy Crush.