My 8-year old grandson is creating video games. And, I must say, they’re good, they’re very good!

In his most recent video game, my favorite level is set inside a Great Pyramid. My character has to step carefully so I don’t plunge to my death.

But I dare not be too careful! If I take too long considering my next steps, a mummy catches up with me and kills me!!

It doesn’t help that whenever a mummy is getting close, my grandson starts screaming: “Watch out, Grandpa! The mummy’s going to catch you!!”.

Meanwhile, background music keeps playing an ominous, relentless beat, heralding my approaching doom.

Nevertheless, with my grandson’s wise advice, I eventually made it past the mummies and safely out of the Great Pyramid.

On a few other levels, however, I got stuck.

I simply couldn’t make the right moves accurately enough and fast enough to get through it. Furthermore, a blister was beginning to form on my right thumb.

So a few times, I had to ask my grandson to do more than give me wise advice. I had to give him back the controller. That way I could learn by watching what he did, get to the next level, and see more of the great game he has created.

As he raced through obstacles that had completely baffled and defeated me, I reflected that, of course, he could play the game much better than I could. He was the Creator!!!

That made me think about how the Creator of my life and the universe guides me and helps me.

Most of the time, wise words are enough. (Psalm 1:1-6).

Wise words spoken through friends. (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Wise words spoken through the Scriptures, including the words and example of Jesus. (Genesis 1:3; Isaiah 55:8-12; Matthew 5:17; 7:24-27; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Wise words spoken through the Spirit of the LORD. (John 16:7-15).

But sometimes, mere words aren’t enough to get me through the obstacles I face—obstacles that keep me from finding Life and from enjoying Life to the full. (John 10:10).

At those times, I have to hand the controls of my life and of the Universe over to their Creator.

I have to let the Creator speak my name.

I have to let the Creator restore hope to my heart and purpose to my life.

I have to let the Creator carry me across oceans of despair, hopeless confusion, fears, doubts, denials, and failures, until I reach the Promised Land. (John 20:11-18; Hoping in the LORD, at pages 309-333).

Only then can I forget what lies behind.

Only then can I press on to what lies ahead—the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14).

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For additional thoughts inspired by my grandson, please read my blogs “The Christmas Star: I Saw It in Real Life!”, “Honoring God with Only Our Lips”, “What Makes a Hero Good?”, “Video Game Strategy: Getting Crucified”, “Sprouting Seeds Takes Patience”, “Stop Talking! Blow Out the Candles!!”, and “I Love You Gram. Bye!”.

For additional thoughts about how Jesus—the Creator (John 1:1-5-14)—restores hope to our hearts and purpose to our lives, please read about the appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection as discussed in the chapters “As Mary Cries, Jesus Comes and Calls Her by Name”, “A Healthy Jesus Walks to Emmaus”, “Jesus Tells the Disciples, ‘Peace Be with You’”, “Jesus Overcomes the Doubts of Doubting Thomas”, and “Jesus Encourages Peter To Take Care of His Sheep” in my book Hoping in the LORD, at pages 309-333.