Gamers, Goths, and Geeks - Where do you fit in?

Have you ever wondered where you fit in society? Where you fit in amongst your peers? Perhaps you have felt like a round peg being forced into a square hole. Culture tends to categorize individuals into homogenized groups. Do you identify with any of the following groups?

GAMERS: I recently read a news article concerning a popular young person who described himself as a “gamer”. I’m not quite sure, but possibly a gamer is someone who is an avid video game player. Many people spend hours playing and watching virtual reality games. But no matter how realistic these games may appear, they are not real. Many people live their lives as a gamer. They are not real, they are simply playing games. In games there are no real lasting risks, rewards, relationships, or real fulfillment. Are you a gamer or are you living the real life God created you for?

A young starlet became a Christian but remarked that she could still have her “bling” and “bling bling” (slang for things like jewelry and especially diamonds). God knows that “bling” does not satisfy. In fact a rich young ruler wanted to follow Jesus. He was told to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow Christ. The young man went away sad because he had many possessions. Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul” (Mark 8:34-38).

Gamers of the world shun truth and reality. Jesus told some religious gamers of his day, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32-36). What is the real truth? Jesus plainly tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).

GOTHS: Modern day Goths can be those who simply like to dress in dark things and are fixated on death or become more involved in the realm of darkness, the occult, and things of Satan. Books, videos, movies, games, and television programming are proliferating in the realm of darkness. Even young children are being taught how to cast spells and participate in the occult. Is it just innocent fun? No, the occult is deadly serious and real.

There are two diametric kingdoms – the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of God. Perhaps you would never walk in the kingdom of darkness. But are you disobedient to God and those in authority? The Bible says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (I Samuel 15:23).

Which kingdom are you in? God sent His Son to “call us out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NLT). Come out of the darkness and allow the light to shine on you. What sweet fellowship, cleansing, and companionship for those who will walk in the light. (I John 1:7)

GEEKS: Those who do not fit into the mainstream of popular culture’s ideal are many times viewed as “geeks”. Some geeks are highly intelligent and successful. Perhaps Albert Einstein and Bill Gates were viewed as geeks. Some geeks are ostracized, rejected, ridiculed, or abused. Some have turned to alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, anti-social behavior, or violence to find relief for their inner pain.

The fact is, most of us are viewed as or feel like geeks who live in an estranged world. The good news is that Jesus Christ came to this earth to die for all gamers, Goths, geeks, and other groups of people. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Through Jesus Christ all of us – gamers, Goths, geeks, and groups can receive God’s gift of grace. “We are accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6; 2:8).

GODLY: Someone once said that God created all of us with a God shaped hole in our heart. Only God can fill that hole and bring everlasting life. Those who receive God’s Son – Jesus – have Christ living in them. They become godly and pursue godliness. They “march to the beat of a different drummer”. They delight in doing everything the Lord wants. (Psalm 1) They have God’s blessings and look for an eternal home. (Hebrews 11)

No matter what group you identify with, Jesus is the real deal. “He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life” (I John 5:12). Only Jesus arose victorious from the dead to give us the power of resurrection life. Receive him into your life today by repentance and faith and become a man or woman of God.