When playing a video game, we are striving to “level up”. The irony is that reaching the next level propels us into harder challenges. Those harder challenges and additional promises of leveling up are rewarding because we are getting closer to the end, the goal. And a primary goal of this life is to walk in faith toward God.
The world offers myriads of false substitutes for us to follow. Alternatives to believe in. But God desires for us to grow. To mature. And maturity requires us to live by faith in Jesus. To walk in the Spirit.
God gives us a way to “level up.” God promises that we can have all the gold we desire, all the prizes and rewards we can handle. All we have to do is listen to Him and act in obedience to His direction. This doesn’t mean God is a genie. Far from it. Genies listen to their master. In order to live in faith toward God, we must listen to Him.
God is a kind and giving God, who desires our best. He has designed for us to gain his bounty by listening to His word. To learn to walk the path of life by believing His way is the best way for us. To gain the “gold” of wealth in this life by faith. To “level up” to greater faith, moving on from things that are elementary.
The treasure of life awaits at the end of our “game”. As we “level up”, we increase our faith toward God. Our ability to listen and follow. This is the path of maturity, and ultimately of victory.