A young sponsee was wrestling with a defect of character and shortcoming.
He said, “I am struggling to level up.”
“What,” I asked, “is levelling up?”
He thought for a moment, considering how to explain this new term to a 70-year-old male.
After gathering his thoughts, he said, “Levelling up is a term used by video gamers. When a player defeats a dragon or completes a task at one level of play in the game, he is given new powers or tools. And he is allowed to play at a higher level of play in the game. He levels up. To make the game enjoyable, game designers build in these ever-challenging levels but give the gamer the power to deal with the problems at each new level of the game.
He was correct in describing his struggle with defects as ‘levelling up.’ He was striving to defeat his dragons and internal foes. And like a video game, this struggle was demanding skill and endurance of him, and assistance from powers greater than himself. Once he had defeated this defect, he would have been proven to be worthy, ready for more challenges and tests.
What a great phrase to describe the Step 6 and 7 processes of defect removal. We have to defeat our dragons. Success demands endurance and worthiness. And we need powers from God, as we have understood Him.
Once you have levelled up spiritually, there are more challenges and tests ahead. But we can meet these with new powers and skills.
If we were to re-write the Big Book, Step 12 might read “having levelled up as the result of these Steps…” The Step 3 prayer might read “God, please help me level up by giving me victory over my spiritual dragons.” And Step 6 and 7 might say, “We humbly asked for the weapons and powers to level up spiritually.”
I can see a new video game now: “Grand Theft Sober.”
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Nice,
Really nice,
There is another concept in video gaming known as level holding. More or less is when a player is capable to change to a new level, thereby unlocking various other challenges and skills, but chooses to remain at their current level. I suppose for a couple of possible reasons. Perhaps the new skills acquired are not worth the new challenges that are presented. Also, however, in refusing to level up, a player can still gain experience and enjoyment without being sucked into the many enticements that end up costing money that may be available at higher levels.
How that works in the real world and in the program is certainly interesting to think about.
There is a cost though huh. Perhaps each level up unlocks even more powerful dragons(defects). I don’t know. Sometimes I feel that way though.
Thanks a bunch brother, humid as all hell in Calgary today, have a good weekend.