Like many Saints, I’ve struggled to listen to the still, small voice in the face of modern distractions. But recently, one unexpected spiritual catalyst came into my life in the form of a dusty, horse-riding, law-evading outlaw: Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2.
For this, I’m just going to ignore all the terrible morals in this game and not talk about how my 5-year-old kid chased other kids on the playground yelling, “Where the Hell are you goin?” – which has resulted in me playing the game on a very low volume.
Here are five sacred truths I rediscovered while navigating Arthur Morgan through the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 (on my fifth playthrough).
1. Tithes and Offerings
He may have robbed trains and gotten into his fair share of fistfights, but Arthur Morgan always paid his debts. When that “Wanted” bounty hit, he’d ride straight to the post office to clear his name. If Arthur can ride through snow and ambushes to keep things square, I can log into Church Center and pay my 10%.
2. Bearing Testimony
Every evening around the fire, Dutch would bear passionate witness to a better future if the gang just kept the faith. Ignoring that his plans always involved crime, deception, and using the people he professes to love, you’ve got to admire his testimony and dedication to the plan.
3. The Word of Wisdom
I don’t want to brag, but no matter how many times I had to refill my deadeye mid gun battle or fist fight, I never, NOT ONCE smoked a cigarette, cigar, or drank any of the alcohol. Anytime the game offered me a drink, and I had a choice, I said no. Every. Single. Time. Well, except for that one time in Valentine. LEEENNNNYYYYYYYY!
4. Ministering
From removing a bear trap from a trapper’s leg, helping the snake-bitten man, rescuing damsels in distress, and tracking down all the requested items for the camp members, Arthur Morgan always took care of the people around him. Unless… he had a legendary pelt on the back of his horse, then the damsels in distress had to help themselves. God gave them legs for a reason.
5. Food Storage
In a world where death lurks behind every hill, I clung to the peace that comes from knowing my satchel was stocked. Beans. Canned peaches. Five types of jerky. The Lord commands us to prepare, and my Arthur Morgan took it seriously. I don’t want to admit how much time I sat at campfires cooking oregano-seasoned big game meat.
Sometimes, the Lord speaks in a still, small voice. Other times, it’s through a grizzled outlaw coughing into a blood-soaked rag while he murders hundreds of people. Red Dead Redemption 2 reminded me that we all fall short, but through high honor, sacrifice, and service, redemption is always possible.
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