Meaning of Games: The Job is Not the Point
When starting out this Meaning of Games series (which is really about Life’s meaning as well), I originally thought:
“Conversations, good deeds, and all of your actions can be a testament to the people around you. Because of this impact, The Job is Not the Point. [...] But how powerful is the potential of greater change via a Real Job? Why try to make a difference using a shovel instead of a bulldozer?”
Then my suitemate convinced me that a goodwill or social service job isn’t necessarily more powerful. Given the Keystone Bill is using, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever,” trust God to use you best. If you follow and listen to Him, then He will put you in the place that you have the most impact. Using the shovel God gave you would be more powerful than any bulldozer.
“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
“And now I will show you the most excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12 (Thanks to my suitemate for pointing me to this.)
It’s something we’ve done in leadership training for Scouts. Each person brings their own tools and experience. Each person is best used differently. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. [...] Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12).
Although I may see my future career in game development as weaker than others, perhaps it is indispensable. Which gets back to my favorite idea from my first post: “Wouldn’t it be great for your job to get games to that level?”
Personally, I am just beginning to learn about God and Christianity. I’ve also kept my blog relatively impersonal. But I think this is important, so I’m stepping out of my sphere of comfortable blog posts. I wonder where this will lead…
September 5th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Got to your post via Bill’s blog…
I think you’re spot on in looking at 1 Corinithians. The famous “love” chapter 13 is samwiched in-between two chapters that talk about spiritual gifts. That’s no accident on Paul’s part. Our gifts are to be used in love to benefit others. (Interestingly, they’re not really “gifts” to us, but to others that benefit from them.) So, the thing to keep in mind is how to use our gifts to love others.
It’s apparent that the the church in Corinth had some issues with valuing some gifts over others. So it’s also encouraging to know that the gifts that seem “weaker” are also indispensable. Take Barnabas in Acts 4:36 and 9:26-27–his name means “Son of Encouragement.” He actually got a new name for a gift that most tend to overlook, especially on teams. Someone might not be the best coder/writer/designer/whatever, but they may hold the whole group together with their encouragement. He certainly encouraged the early church and especially Paul.
So I think using your God-given gifts in a way that loves others is where it’s at.
September 5th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Thanks for your comments, Dave.
Encouragement is something that was invaluable to me this past schoolyear. It definately was the foundation of a good friendship this year.
It’s excellent when, as you point out, gifts benefit others as well as yourself. It’s like buy-one-get-one free!
September 6th, 2006 at 5:56 am
someones got to earn the cash hav they not ?
September 6th, 2006 at 10:00 am
sair,
That reminds me of how I’m not a big fan of EA churning out yet another Madden game each year. But then I realized it’s the titles like that (should) fund the more experimental titles.
And, although I’d like to think we could go without money, it would be insanely difficult.
September 16th, 2006 at 6:20 am
um! you have a point!
stealing would be plain un coll as we’d get put in jail -by the law .
—- i am watching a great programme on -sky digital [got sky this year - the box]—- page 150- zone reality channel -5pm called cops.
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these sort of shows make you think how, people [some] can be —
so………………………………….. ugggggggh!.
unrully?
if thats the name i’m looking for……
—— dont know what you amercans call it but……
they are SO……………………………
INSENSITIVE ……………………………………………..
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CHEERS SAIR
September 17th, 2006 at 4:59 am
i meant uncool ,sometimes i type faster than think these days
- sure sign of old age and duality [forgetfulness] slowley creeping
on me.
oop’s. i read somewhere - that :
once a person gets past the big : 4.0 [40's] you lose a bit of the old brain cells.
i thought that happened past 60.
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