Just a quick note about this new series. The addressees in the “letters” do exist in real life. However, their names have been changed for privacy reasons. Also, certain dynamics of the situations that I address in certain “letters” have also been changed to protect their identities and reputations.
It’s my hope and prayer that, as you read each “letter” in this 10 part series, you’ll gain some blessing and encouragement from each “letter”, and that the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart as you read. Thank you and God bless!
Dear Finn,
I have been really thinking about what you told me at potluck last week after church was over.
I understand how angry and bitter you are at what the guest speaker said about video games. In a way, you’re right. It is JUST “a game.”
But, I wanna direct your attention to something else besides your love for Assassin’s Creed and World of Warcraft.
Imagine with me, Finn, that you’re stuck in a deep pit of quicksand. The quicksand is swallowing up your legs and your waist.
Now it’s beginning to swallow your neck–and so far nobody seems to know nor care about your dire situation.
Until a rope is thrown down to you.
“Hey!” A voice cries from above you. “Grab the rope and I’ll pull you out!”
But, Finn, your response to the rescuer is:
“No, thanks! I really like this quicksand. Just leave me alone!”
“But you’re gonna die!” the voice says. “Just take the rope, PLEASE! This quicksand is gonna destroy you!”
“No,” you say as the quicksand slowly swallows your chin. “This quicksand feels really nice–in fact, I love it very much. Just let me enjoy this quicksand and go away please.”
The voice persists you take the rope, but you still refuse.
Then, the rope is slowly pulled away from you as you, Finn, slowly sink to death.
I know how scary that sounds, Finn. But, you’re honestly doing that RIGHT NOW!
What the guest speaker said wasn’t to CONDEMN you, but to SAVE you! The Holy Spirit used him to cast a rescue rope to you, so you could be pulled out of the quicksand of sin and spiritual destruction!
Will you take that rope, Finn? Will you allow God to rescue you from the quicksand of sin?
But what that guest speaker said HURT me! You maybe thinking.
I understand that too, Finn! But here’s a Bible promise God has for you:
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
(Psalm 147:3)
God understands the bitter pain you have, and He wants to heal you.
Not just the heart wounds you got from the guest speaker’s sermon, but God also wants to heal your unwillingness to be rescued from your video game obsession. God is HAPPY to give you the willingness to take the rope, Finn. In fact, check out what the Bible says about this:
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure .
(Philippians 2:13)
Do you know what that means, Finn? If not, here’s how one modern translation puts it:
It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him
(Philippians 2:13 GW)
God alone can produce and create the desire in you to take the rope, Finn! I wanna encourage you to, after you read through this letter, seriously take time to pray and ask God to help you follow His will for you concerning video games. Because, again, it is only God who can give you the desire and strength to take the rope He has let down for you.
It won’t be easy, Finn. But there’s another verse Paul mentions in the same book of Philippians:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:13)
Again, ONLY GOD can implant within you the desire and give you the strength to say yes to Him and to take His rescue rope–even if it means walking away from video games for good. But don’t feel scared, shocked, or horrified at the idea of giving up your video games.
God wants to give you a life that’s BETTER than all the exciting video games the world may offer you. Jesus Himself said so:
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)
Will you accept that abundantly better life that Jesus DIED to give you?
Will you ask God to give you the desire and the strength to take the rescue rope He is offering you from the quicksand of sin?
Will you, dear Finn, allow God to heal you COMPLETELY–not just from the heart wounds you got from last week’s sermon but also from your heart-deep unwillingness to change and embrace God’s call to put Him first above everything, including video games?
It’s my hope and prayer that you will!
Praying for you,
Aleah R.
Blogger & Digital Missionary