Super Mario 1-1: A Hostile Coding Problem

The very first time I loaded the original Super Mario Brothers on the NES, I was transfixed… I couldn’t wait to explore this colorful, magical world and unlock all of its secrets. And shortly after I entered the level, I met my very first citizen of the Mushroom Kingdom… a small, mushroom-looking character who looked a little down on his luck. I ran up to him so I could introduce myself and learn more about this strange place… but he wasn’t very friendly at ALL. As a matter of fact, he was downright hostile to my presence. But it wasn’t anything personal… he was simply scripted to attack me on sight. He was just responding to his coding.

The attacks we experience in life may often feel very personal, but they shouldn’t be taken that way… they’re a scripted response by the spiritual darkness we are surrounded by due to the destiny that we possess as followers of Christ. Let’s avoid reacting to the challenges of today from a place of bitterness and anger at our obstacles and see them for what they truly are… products of a coding designed to resist our progress. Darkness will always push back at the light, but it can never overcome it.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

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