gam·i·fi·ca·tion
encouragement and rewards for completing small tasks that lead to fulfillment of a larger goal or goals.
GAMIFICATION started when the 21st Century opened for business and quickly became one of the most powerful forces in global marketing. Then, in two finger snaps, it spilled out of marketing and invaded society’s circulatory system.
GAMIFICATION is now so deeply embedded in the world’s fabric that we don’t realize its pervasive pull on our thinking. But that’s ok. None of this, on its face, is “bad.”
After all, GAMIFICATION is focused on generating a powerful, two-punch pay-off—1) Instilling Discipline/Order to completing a task; and 2) Adding Interest/Fun to the process.
Even the GAMIFICATION OF GOD that is streaking across the planet right now has a positive sheen. Christian Apps, Online Prayer Trackers and Bible Study Programs all offer attractive features that increase discipline and productivity, if not spiritual growth.
But now we turn to the underbelly of our GAMIFICATION OF GOD—compromising the ability to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and the Gospel of Christ.
The danger lies in breaking down the foundational girders of being a Christian—repentance, forgiveness, surrender, obedience, and faith—into a prescribed process. This is where we can lose sight of our faith walk’s overarching goal—to know and share and serve Christ.
Spiritual Checklist Metrics cannot be the only way we measure our connection with Christ and our walk with him.
Remember, we develop spiritual discipline through our habits—not for the habits in a vacuum, but for the character traits they PRODUCE. The goal is to see those character traits animate and direct Christ-like behavior in our life in a way that pleases God.
For me, I ask God to keep my focus on developing spiritual habits that are more than boxes checked on a checklist. I ask him to change my nature to be ever more like Christ.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you developing spiritual habits that produce Christ-likeness in you?
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
