Anyone with an iPhone or Android has undoubtedly downloaded the game “Temple Run.” It is a fascinating, yet simple time-killer that has assassinated countless hours of productivity. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got yourself getting sucked in to the addictive nature of the game. However, while sacrificing hours on the altar of “Temple Run” trying (unsuccessfully) to beat my 5 year old’s top score, I realized that “Temple Run” also holds several spiritual truths that mirror the message of the gospel and the life of a believer. Since there are four gospels, here are four spiritual truths I found in “The Gospel According to Temple Run.”
1. You’ve got to run for your life.
In “Temple Run”, the explorer is constantly being pursued by “demonic monkeys” who are waiting for him to make one false step. The moment the explorer stumbles, the monkeys pounce on him to “eat up his flesh.” In the same way, our enemy, the devil, is constantly sending his demonic forces on assignment to chase, harass, and attempt to destroy the believer. However, just like the explorer, we must keep running. We can’t afford to stumble. Every time we stumble we allow the enemy to gain ground on us. The interesting thing is that the demonic monkeys are not fast enough to catch the explorer on their own, they need his help. They need him to stumble in order for him to catch up. The enemy can’t catch you if you don’t allow him! That’s why he puts obstacles in your way. You’ve got to jump, slide and turn on the road to your destiny. It reminds me of the old song of the church that says, “Lord, I’m runnin’ tryna make 100 because 99 1/2 won’t do!” Keep running for your life!
2. Don’t forget the coins.
The explorer can’t be so busy focusing on the demonic monkeys behind him that he misses out on the coins in front of him. Throughout the obstacle course there are yellow, red and blue coins. These coins represent the treasure of God’s word. They also represent opportunities; they can be used to purchase upgrades and aids to help the explorer on his journey. Likewise, every day, God blesses us with opportunities designed to aid us on our journey. However, if we are too busy looking at what’s chasing our back, we’ll miss out on the blessing that’s staring us right in the face. One interesting thing to note about the demonic monkeys in “Temple Run” is that for most of the game you can’t even see them. They are so far behind the explorer that they disappear off the screen. God doesn’t want you looking at what’s behind you. He wants you to focus on the opportunities that are ahead of you. The Apostle Paul says, “Forgetting those things which are behind…I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14). Don’t forget the coins!
