Pokémon: How are you playing life?

With Pokémon Legends: Z–A out now, Stevie Hope asks if we need a change of mindset.

As the latest iteration of the long-running Pokémon franchise lands on Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Legends: Z–A brings with it lots of memories.

I made my first Pokémon Sapphire Version save file back in 2003. Like most Pokémon games, it involved raising a team of creatures and training them up for battles against other creatures. As a fan of the games for around two decades, I’ve grown with the series. When I was a child, I played games like a child, and my approach was thus: pick the cutest or coolest Pokémon and hope for the best. (In case anyone’s wondering, Clodsire is my favourite. Who doesn’t love Clodsire?!)

Now that I’m in my thirties, I should probably play the game properly. That means using only the most powerful Pokémon with the most strategic attacks. And, if I really want consistent one-hit KOs, I need to think about hidden abilities, same-type attack bonuses, effort values, individual values… And don’t forget the franchise’s most famous slogan: you’ve ‘gotta catch ’em all’! Today, that means catching – let me check – 1,025 Pokémon!

At what point am I meant to have fun in this game? I’m running about, balancing all these numbers and stats and forgetting why I wanted to play in the first place.

I wonder if that sounds familiar.

We all get to an age when our faith grows up. We realise we should study the Bible and do daily devotions. And then, of course, we need to make prayer, discipleship and worship a whole-life endeavour. And, if we really want to aim for holiness, we need to think about fellowship and spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit... And don’t forget you’ll want to read the Bible cover-to-cover, which means reading – let me check – 31,102 verses!

When exactly in all this do I get to enjoy the peace of God?

Perhaps I was better off with my childhood tactic: pick the bits that look the nicest, ignore the rest and hope for the best. But, when I think about it, my childhood approach wasn’t about picking the easiest route, it was about focusing on the things that brought me joy, appreciating the simplest things. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said: ‘Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it’ (Mark 10:15 New Revised Standard Version).

Of course, that’s not the end of the story. Paul highlights in 1 Corinthians 3 that this foundation needs to be built upon. If I want to know the Bible better, of course reading the thing is important. But if I’m focused on completing the 31,102 verses just because it’s the proper thing to do, how easy is it to move from reading the words to ticking off the numbers? This is Christ business becoming church busyness.

Wherever you’re at in your journey with God, maybe it’s time to try a new playing style. Maybe God’s asking you to go deeper in your faith and invest some points in an area you’ve avoided so far. Perhaps God’s asking you to take a step back from grinding stats and enjoy the things God has laid out before you. Whatever the case might be for you, hold on to the reason behind it all: knowing Jesus more.

Reflect and respond

• Compare Mark 10:13–16 and 1 Corinthians 3. Reflect on how God is asking you to respond.
• Consider your Christian practices. Are you doing anything for the sake of it? Do you need a change of mindset?
• Look at your corps programme. Is there something new you could try?