I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but didn’t write about it to avoid sounding preachy. That is until someone close to me was affected by it.

Sometimes my mind gets going on work, school and home-school and I just need to do something mindless for a few minutes. That is when I would play a computer game. I’m not saying all computer games are bad, but a person has to be aware of the amount of time spent on them – especially the goal-oriented games.

The goal-oriented games are, in my opinion, much more dangerous. They give a person the sense of accomplishing something, sometimes many things, but in actuality that person is accomplishing nothing. It is deceptive and a trap.

While a person is spending time playing these games, they are sitting and doing nothing – not one thing has been accomplished. As an office manager, bookkeeper and writer, I spend a lot of time on the computer.  I am standing in one place or sitting during that time, but things of importance to my place of business and to others are being accomplished – things that matter. (At least I hope they do.)

Goal-oriented games are false goals. They provide a person with a sense of accomplishment, but it is false and a lie. These games promote isolation instead of community. A person may protest and say, “I am interacting with my friends in these games.” What I have heard from folks who play these games is the only communication with friends is, “I need a bigger barn. Help me.” These games promote escapism and avoidance instead of dealing with the real world and the real people in it.

I came up with a list of things to do instead of playing these types of games. They are in no particular order.

1. Go for a walk

2. Talk to children

3. Turn on Christian music and listen to the lyrics

4. Take a nap

5. Read the Bible

6. Talk to spouse

7. Call parents

8. Have lunch with a friend

9. etc

Thank you for listening to my preachiness. It was just something God laid on my heart.