Level Up: Treat Your Life Like A Video Game

“I press toward the mark…” (Philippians 3:14)

Life is like a video game. You start where you are, and God has given each of us a purpose. Just as a game has different levels, life has different seasons, challenges, lessons and opportunities for growth. We learn from mistakes, gain experience, unlock new skills, and become stronger as we progress. You might not control every level you enter, but you can control how you play it.

As Christians, we aren’t simply trying to “win life.” We’re learning to follow Christ, grow in faith, overcome obstacles, and become who God created us to be.

Know your player

Every game has a character. Before you can level up, you need to know who you are. The world will try to tell you who you should be: “You need to look like this.” “You need to dress like this.” “You need to have this many followers.” “You need to be popular.” But God says you were created intentionally. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Your identity shouldn’t come from likes, popularity, relationships, or other people’s opinions. Ask yourself one question: “Who does God say I am?” He says I am created by God. He says I have value. He says I have purpose. He says I am not an accident.

Lesson to learn: know who you are before the world tells you who to become.

Know your mission

Every game has a mission. You need to know, “What am I supposed to accomplish?” Life also needs direction. Jeremiah 29:11 says God has plans and a purpose for His people, and Ephesians 2:10 teaches us that we were created for good works.

Do you know what God has called you to do, or are you just following everybody else’s game plan? Your purpose isn’t determined by likes, popularity, money, or people’s opinions. God is the one who created you.

You don’t have to have your entire future figured out at 15, 16, 18 or 20. But start asking, “God, what do You want me to do with my life?” Don’t let social media, popularity or money become your mission. Let God guide your purpose.

Lesson to learn: you can’t reach a destination you haven’t decided to pursue.

Earn your experience points

In a video game, you earn experience points. In life, you gain experience through what you go through. Some of your greatest lessons may come from failures, disappointment, rejection, difficult relationships, bad decisions, or difficult seasons. Don’t only ask yourself, “Why did this happen to me?” Also ask, “What can I learn from this?” Romans 5:3–4 tells us that trials can produce perseverance, character and hope.

Lesson to learn: don’t waste your experiences. Turn them into wisdom. Your mistakes don’t have to define you. They can teach you.

Keep moving

We go through different seasons in life; some are easy, some are difficult. But there is one major difference: this isn’t just a game. This is the life God has given you.

You don’t have to have everything figured out. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be on the highest level today. But you do have to keep moving. Every day gives you another opportunity to grow, so level up your faith, your character, your discipline, your relationships, your purpose, and your walk with God.