Mario Kart was MY GAME growing up! I discovered the game way back when I was in a summer program (designed to keep kids occupied, out of trouble, and have some fun here and there). I was about nine when it was popular along with the Nintendo 64 and accompanying controllers and out of all the games I actually enjoyed playing (and losing at most of the time) I LOVED THIS GAME (and still do can you imagine how hype I was when the iOs app came out? lol)

But there is a reason Im bringing up Mario Kart, it is a lot like life isn’t it?

I say this for one simple reason: life has racers, marathon runners, obstacles, twists turns, and rewards.

1. You ALWAYS have opponents

Interestingly enough they are all running the track you are except they different methods, cars, power ups and characters, each character is known for something. Some of the people or opponents you will race against, all want the same thing but will sometimes throw obstacles in your way as they are on their way to the finish line. In this marathon called life, we run into people all the time with different faces and characteristics that will throw obstacles in our direction whether they intended to or not. This comes in the form of drama, gas lighting, lying, cheating, being difficult, jealousy, envy and the list goes on. But when you look at it they have the same goal: to get to the finish line, they just have different approaches for different reasons.

2. There are levels to this!

The more you drive and play the game, eventually you will have gone through enough racecourses to LEVEL UP! Leveling up turns into access to more rubies, coins, and cards and accessing playing with other friends all of which can be used to earn different characters, gliders, and vehicles each with its own distinction.

3. Power ups= Blessings In Life

In the game there will be times on and off the race track where you will earn some kind of powerup (either through the question mark block or having enough coins or gems to redeem)

In life as God sees our efforts, our relationship with Him progress and how we treat our fellow man, He will drop blessings on us along the way. The only difference is He doesn’t bless us because we’ve earned it, He blesses us because of His love for us and His grace!

You see, it doesn’t matter how many good deeds you do, none of us are deserving of Gods grace, mercy and love. His grace is unmerited and His love is shown through the sacrifice of His ONLY son!

4. Slow and Steady Wins The Race (Walking in Christ)

If you have ever played the game you’ll notice something interesting, there a few occasions where depending on how you drive, when you decide to throw things or use powerups, sometimes the drivers that started out in the back end up maneuvering their way to the front. In your walk with Christ, this happens too!

"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16 KJV

There is a saying that slow and steady wins the race and it has some truth in it because in Christ this journey is NOT a race at all, it is a marathon and the powerups you use are love, patience, prayer, understanding, self-control, and generosity to name a few.

So when you decide to get in the driver’s seat again, remember these tips. Even though life is a lot like Mario Kart, you serve the King of Kings who can help you not only win the race but make the best out of it.