Exhortation: Gamification

Photo by Ylanite Koppens

I once heard someone say, “Only unhappy people play games.” Wait a minute. Let’s unpack this a bit.

Gamifying life is useful when your self-motivation needs a boost. Give yourself points for achieving steps toward a goal and then reward yourself once the objective is accomplished.

[✓] Worked out four times this week: treat yourself.

[✓] Worked the overtime, got the promotion, and invested: Go on vacation.

[✓] Gamified.

Then there’s the dark side of game-playing and competition, where the simple and straightforward things in life are corrupted.

…I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 4:4]

Envy, pride, and lust creep in to damage situations and relationships. There’s the coveting, backstabbing, and betrayals. And joyous milestones like birthdays, graduations, careers, homes and assets become points of bitter contention. 

When these situations appear, remember: there are aspects of life that are not a game. Your evolution as a human being, your mental, emotional, and spiritual growth: that’s a partnership between you and God. And let me tell you why God is too good: Because he does not keep score like you or I would [Psalm 37:23-24]. And when he blesses us, he adds no sorrow or shame to it.

God’s discipline is good. God’s grace is sufficient. He loves us, and he delights in you.