Life Lessons Learned from Doodle Jump

Who has ever played doodle jump? You know, the little app for itouches and iphones that lets you control a... guy by tilting the ipod and making him land on platforms? Well, I was recently at a sleepover, and since I tend to wake up way earlier than everyone else, I was the only person awake. Since it was 6:30 and no one was likely to wake up until at least 9, I decided to play doodle jump. The peace and quiet got me thinking while I was playing, and I made some comparisons between doodle jump and real life. So, if you've never played it before, grab your itouch or a friend's (um, ask nicely...) download the game- it's free, then try it out (there's also similar versions online) and read these little thoughts of mine:

platforms= your friends, family, mentors

springs & trampolines= great opportunities

rockets & hats= big gifts (aka God's gifts)

monsters= fears

black holes= addictions

shields= Jesus Christ :)

1. Friends come in all different shapes and sizes- there are the blue moving platforms- not very consistent but always willing to help if you can get to them. The green platforms are steady guideposts, keeping you on the right track, giving advice, always there. The orange/red platforms are friends who might help you out once, but if things get tough, they're gone. The cloud platforms are similar, you can count on them for a little boost but nothing that lasts because they can't keep it up. The cracked platforms look like friends, but they really won't offer any help or support, they will just let you down.

2. There are too many opportunities to take advantage of them all. Sometimes if you decide to jump on a trampoline, you miss out on a spring. You have to choose, but you'll end up in close to the same place no matter what.

3. There's really no difference between the BIG monsters and the little monsters. If you hit them from the top rather than freaking out and running into them headfirst, they'll all go away.

4. A lot of times you can ignore the monsters, but getting rid of them gives you a little boost.

5. Shields are very helpful things to pick up- you can still defeat your monsters, but as long as you have the shield, there's no risk of dying.

6. Black Holes don't seem so bad, in fact, it almost looks like you could just jump right over them, but if you get too close, they'll suck you in and there's no escaping.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3