Pokemon Go and make disicples

I figured I would jump on this pokemon bandwagon before we, as Western Culture, move on to other trends.

If you have been living under a rock for a week or two let me summarize the game for you. Basically, you can download this free app call "Pokemon Go" to catch pokemon! Crazy, eh! WE have come a long way from that big brick of the original game boy and pokemon red, blue, and yellow. (I think Japan had a green game as well)

It connects google maps with your camera and puts virtual pokemon on your screen that you must capture. The goal is one of the goals in the original games, "Got to catch them all."

Got it, good.

This game has been amazing and horrible at the same time. But is not that the truth with all things? God's good gifts, when not properly applied to our lives, become harmful. This is true because the devil, himself, cannot create anything. God is the creator but when we fall into sinful desires (when we want good things appropriately) they can be harmful to our well being.

An easy example would be with food or drink. God, our creator created food. He said, "It is good." Yet, for some it becomes habit forming. It can lead to harmful things such as gluttony, anorexia (and other eating disorders), starvation of those who do not have enough to eat. 

Food is evil. It can cause diabetes. Right? Of course, it can. But one would be a fool to fall for this straw-man argument.  The same can be said of "Pokemon Go." A lot of bad has resulted, one example I saw was a girl on her way home from hunting had to cross a major highway near Pittsburgh and was hit by a car.

But good has also resulted. Sales of business (small sample size) have increased as more people are on the streets. The one and probably only time I played the game I was able to talk to two groups of people that I wouldn't have if not for the game. People are getting more exercise. The humane society has used this to encouraged more people to adopt unwanted animals. And even churches have used it for their advantage as many churches are prime locations for Pokemon "trainers" to go.

Something that really struck me in the title is the "Go." Go where? Ash in the original Pokemon game was commissioned by Professor Oak to "Go." Go into all the world. Oak had a purpose for him. He was getting older and could never could do his original dream of catching all the Pokemon and defeating all the Gym Leaders.

So, Ash goes over to his mother, says, "goodbye", and leaves. Are you serious????!??? How old is he? What messed up world is he living in?, i think to myself.  Clearly the creator of Pokemon is not writing from a "God-centered" perspective but "Jehovah Sneaky" has much for us to learn if we have ears to hear.

One of the last instructions Jesus leaves with his disciples is what we call, "The Great Commission." Have you heard of it? "I have been given all authority on heaven and earth. Therefore, GO, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you."- Matthew 28:18-20

Go. Where? Jesus said all the world, so if I'm serious about following him I need to pack my bags and go to Africa right?

Maybe.

Jesus, like Professor Oak, gives each one of us a commission, "Go into all the world and make disciples."

In some mysterious way, God has chosen to use us as a tool to draw people to himself. Don't get me wrong, no one comes to Jesus without the Father (God) drawing them (John 6:44). 

Yet we are still told to "Go." Share your story. Build relationships. Tell people how God, despite your rebellion toward him, reached down and saved your butt. And just like farmers who sow seed on the ground they need a water for that word to grow.

That water is the Holy Spirit. We speak the truth of God and his love toward them and then the Holy Spirit does the craziest miracle possible, drawing sinful people to a Holy God.

 Many people want to see a sick person well, or a lame man walk, or a dead man rise; but the greatest miracle is when one no longer lives for himself/herself and begins to live for God and live for others.

 So, go, like Ash, into all the world.

Go, like Ash, unafraid of what today may bring. Go beyond your comfort zone. For it is only when we leave the realm of the comfort that we truly grow as people and are able to be used by God.

Make disciples. Start with yourself. Choose today to live not for yourself (ask for God's help, its the only way you can do it).

And as you become a true disciple. Im not taking about a Bible beating fundamentalist. Im talking about a person motivated by love to love for the sake of the One who loved you first.

Isn't it fun to talk about Pokemon when there is so much evil in the world? Remember to not be afraid. That's right? You have to remember.

It is easy in light of evil to think that "the end is nigh" and there "is no hope" but I believe God is still the king of this world. And as His image bearers we may fight hate not with more hate but with love. May we remind people of the promises of God, that "he will never leave us or forsake us."

The scariest thing in this world to me is not terrorist. If someone wants to kill me go for it. Give it a try. I know my God will protect me if it is not my time to go. The scariest thing in this world is those that profess Christ with their lips on Sunday and then support  politicians that are "anti-christ" on Monday through Saturday. The scariest thing is hearing "Christians" support "carpet bombing" and trying to destroy evil with evil.

Disclaimer: I am far from a pacifist, and I do not claim to have all the answers to "defeat terrorism."

But I know God does and one day He will defeat all evil in the world. Including the evil we harbor in our hearts.

And I do want to make a difference in the world. I hope you do too. Your voice makes a difference. Your live makes a difference. True Christianity is not denying there is evil in the world but also not being afraid of it either. True Christianity means you and I get to "GO" and live the life of Christ.

When you go its like we are throwing "poke-balls" of hope into the world. Some people like pokemon are not "caught" on the first throw. They are too strong and confident in their own ways of living. But when their PP (its like energy) is lower and people are without hope because of the craziness of this world, throw that poke-ball of hope and see a life transformed by the Gospel.