Play the game with me : What is it about escapes that lock us in?

  A few weeks ago, a friend of mine discussed what it was like to watch her friend's husband dive into a world where there are no problems, no responsibility, and zero guilt, just a challenge that they had to beat. He spends hours on his computer, shooting down warlocks, defeating dragons, simulating a battle, or conquering a quest, meanwhile his son sits in a corner and waits to be heard. I was at the dog park, and as I listened a wave of fear washed over me... this can't be what consumes people from life is it? We escape to softer, calmer, pleasuring things, whether it be drinking alcohol, sex, video games, novels, movies, clubbing, cutting, complaining, negativity; any of these things and more, we look to them for solace and answers.

   The answer won't be there, in fact it never was. The man asks his wife to play with him and their son to learn how to play these video games, as if it will absolve the greater issue: he does not want to see the world in front of him, or confront his own problems. It was eerie how fast I could internalize something that had nothing to do with me. My brothers grew up without video games or cellphones (until maybe high school). Don't get me wrong, gaming is good for your psyche and hand eye coordination, and its creators are intelligent. How come though, that like smartphones... we tie so much of ourselves to a device that we think will give us so much joy and in return leaves us tired, irritable.... lost, or just alright.. so that we have to seek it more and more because it has to work at some point.

    I asked her was it always like this? Do we submit to this addiction because we hate our jobs, or a friend, or a colleague, or a boss, or something that is aching within our hearts? I went to service this morning grappling with an addiction of my own. The need to control others and my own life. I want to set the parameters, and the game level. Video games and other outlets, allow us to set the pace at our level, but soon it over takes us, like a monster simulator we can't push cancel, or stop or quit. We keep going, because it somehow is like anecdote to ignore reality. I felt truly sorry for this woman and her son, but also for that man. Today's sermon spoke about God's will for our lives. What are we doing with the moral will, the sovereign wills that God has for us? Are we hiding and giving more energy to another energy, or are we seeking direction and praying about what we know is not ours?

  Our escapes are all consuming and can make setting a limit very difficult. Taking on another's problem, or diving deeper into the depths of our abyss won't fix the issue. Either we stand in front of it to confront what we know is true, or we can continue down a path, that holds no joy, but a power that now holds us. What is God's will for me? How do I escape what binds me, (holds my attention) to throw that energy elsewhere, maybe to something or someone that matters. 2018 is more than a resolution, it's about God's will he has for me....for all of us. Soapbox aside, I hope to learn a lot about myself this year and about others. Don't play games. Who is driving here? Something to think about; have a wonderful Sunday!