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“Honey, come in here. You have to play Trapped.”
“I stink at video games.” Sara joined her husband, Matt, and their oldest son, Josh, in the game room. “Hey, that trapped guy looks like Quinn. Where is he, anyway?”
Once again, Sara found herself irritated at their youngest son’s lack of participation in family time.
“Sara, listen. Remember that news report about a gaming programming breakthrough that would ‘put you in the action‘?”
“Vaguely.”
“Satanica stole the technology, and the game. They’re using innocent people as test subjects. Quinn’s computer must have been logged into their site. He’s been sucked into the Deceiver’s trap.”
Sara looked at Josh, whose tear-filled eyes were glued to the 36-inch screen, as he frantically pushed buttons on the game controller.
“We told Quinn to stay away from Satanica. I thought we had those sites blocked. He is so grounded.”
“Hon, you need to calm down. I know he’s been making some bad choices lately, but he’s in big trouble now, and he needs us.”
“I can’t do this! You know I hate Trapped. The flashing lights and noise confuse me, and I always lose. I‘ll just mess it up.”
“Yes, you can do this. Just keep your eyes focused on the Bright Morning Star and listen for the Master. I know sometimes His voice is nearly drowned out by other distracting noises, but if you listen carefully, you’ll hear Him. Remember, the Creator of the game is on our side. Look, he‘s there with Quinn right now -- Quinn just hasn‘t acknowledged Him.”
Sara’s trembling hands picked up the game controller.
God, what‘s happening? I knew some of these computer games were scary, but this is unbelievable. I’m so afraid.
“Sara, you’re controlling the bot with the shield. Use it to protect yourself from the fiery darts thrown at you by the enemy.”
“Just tell me what to do to save Quinn.”
“He has to put on the full armor of God to escape. We can’t save him, but we can help by getting him all the pieces of armor. Josh got the battle shoes to him, so he has the gospel of peace.”
“Yeah! He‘s got the belt.” Josh pumped his fist in the air before returning to the game pad. “Now he has the truth -- and the truth will set him free.”
“Great! Take him the breastplate of righteousness next. We’ve got to protect his heart before it’s too late.”
Josh’s nimble fingers worked the controller like a professional gamer. He expertly maneuvered the bot through a maze of glitz and glamour, retrieved the breastplate, and headed back toward his brother. Sara winced as she saw Josh approach the alluring traps of alcohol, drugs, and sex. Her pained expression turned into a smile of triumph, however, as Josh confidently negotiated the same temptations that had once threatened to ensnare him.
“Mom, quick review of the controller. The right thumbstick moves your bot in any direction. Push the left thumbstick forward to run. The Y button will make the bot jump, and to duck, hit the X button. Use the A button to move the shield up, and B for down.”
Sara was testing the controller buttons when the first fiery darts were launched.
You can’t do this. Reflexively, Sara hit the A button, effectively blocking the initial attack.
You’re a terrible mother.
“It’s a low blow, Sara -- jump!”
Sara immediately hit Y, and the flaming arrow flew right under her bot.
“Dad, hurry. Quinn’s being attacked from all sides. He won’t survive without the helmet of salvation to protect his mind.”
“Take it from me, Josh. I’m going back for the sword.”
Sara was almost to Quinn when the enemy unleashed its most destructive weapon.
You can’t save him -- he’s mine.
Fear surged through Sara’s body like a high voltage electrical shock. Shaking uncontrollably, she was unable to get the shield to her son.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b NIV) Matt thrust the sword of the spirit into the enemy’s onslaught of lies, freeing Sara from the entrapment of fear.
Sara and Matt confidently maneuvered their bots through the minefield of doubt, and reached Quinn with the final two pieces of armor. As he accepted the shield of faith, Quinn saw the Master’s protection all around him.
Equipped with the full armor of God, Quinn was able to escape the Deceiver’s trap.
GAME OVER.
YOU WIN -- THIS TIME.
PLAY AGAIN?
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