September 10
Beyond
the Screen
"A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves. They oppose all good sense."
Proverbs 18:1 (NIrV)
Jake’s world was a dimly lit room, the glow of his computer screen the only source of light. The curtains remained drawn, blocking out the real world—the one he no longer cared for. His parents' voices drifted through the door, muffled yet filled with frustration.
“Jake, can you at least take the trash out?” his mom called.
No response.
His hands tightened around the controller, eyes locked onto the game. He was deep into another match, lost in the chaos of gunfire and explosions. In this world, he was powerful. Here, he didn’t feel like a disappointment, like he did when he failed a test or when his dad shook his head at yet another missed family dinner.
His parents didn’t get it. This was his escape. Outside the game, he felt like nothing.
Days blurred into nights. His grades slipped, his friendships faded, and meals went uneaten. His mom cried to his dad about how distant he had become. His dad clenched his jaw, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
One afternoon, his phone buzzed. A message. He almost ignored it, but something made him check.
"Hey man, we’re playing soccer at the park. Come through?"
It was from Liam, a kid he used to hang out with before gaming took over his life. Jake stared at the message, fingers hovering over the screen. He had no real interest in playing. But if he went, maybe his mom would stop nagging for a while.
"Yeah, whatever. Be there soon."
He threw on some sneakers and trudged outside. The sunlight hit his face like a slap. He had almost forgotten what fresh air felt like. When he arrived at the park, the others were already kicking the ball around.
"Jake! You actually came!" Liam grinned.
"Yeah, don’t make a big deal out of it," Jake muttered.
At first, he hung back, watching the others run and laugh. But when the ball rolled to his feet, something took over. He kicked it, then ran after it. His heart pounded—not from anxiety, but from exertion. He was sweating, breathing hard… but strangely, he didn’t hate it.
Then, something happened that he didn’t expect. He laughed.
The game stretched on, and he forgot about the hours he had spent locked in his room. For the first time in a long time, he felt alive.
As the sun dipped below the trees, he sat on the grass, exhausted but content. Liam nudged him. "We play every weekend. You should come again."
Jake hesitated, but then nodded. "Yeah… maybe I will."
That night, when he walked through the front door, his mom’s eyes widened. "You actually went outside?"
"Yeah," he said, grabbing a glass of water. "And I think I’ll do it again."
His mom didn’t say anything, just smiled.
For the first time in ages, Jake didn’t feel the pull of his gaming chair. The screen would still be there tomorrow. But for now, he just wanted to rest, knowing that tomorrow held something different—something real.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that life is meant to be lived in connection with others.
It’s easy to hide, to retreat into distractions, but I know You created me for more.
Help me to step outside of my comfort zone, to seek real relationships, and to experience the joy of life beyond the screen.
Give me the courage to say yes to the invitations that bring me closer to You and to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
