One of the most controversial moments in Halo 2 was the developer’s decision to switch the  player’s perspective in the middle of the game from our beloved Master Chief to a brand new character… the Arbiter. While this felt like an unwanted “bait and switch” move at first, the opportunity to play as the Arbiter and see John 117 from a different point of view enhanced our understanding and appreciation for both of the characters, adding some much needed depth to the stoic character of the Master Chief in the process. While I didn’t appreciate that narrative choice in that moment, now that I’m reflecting on it those Arbiter levels ended up becoming some of my favorite levels to play in the entire game.

Much to my chagrin, the Lord doesn’t always answer my prayers in the manner that I asked or in the way that I hoped that He would… but that is because He is telling a much bigger story than the one I can currently see. Our Heavenly Father hears every single one of our prayers, but He only answers them in a manner that is consistent with both His character as well as His divine will… and in those times where it seems like His response is at odds with my desires, I’ve found that these unwanted detours that He takes me down always end up becoming some of my very favorite parts of my life-long journey with Him. 

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:1-4

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

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