Men of my generation ('65-'82)... how many are we losing to addictive PC games?

I came across this article, which struck me as one of the saddest commentaries on North American life that I've seen in a long time. Of course, I feel terrible for the "gamer widows" themselves... they're being cheated out of the meaningful family life that God intended for them. The husbands are depriving themselves too, but can't see it. I can't help but think: How many Generation X (and Y) men are we losing to online, multi-player games such as "World of Warcraft"?

As people who want to see God's zone of authority expand through all of society and over the whole earth, we need to look at our generation and find ways to address this. How many men are essentially "out of commission" in our churches and communities because of this? Sure, let's acknowledge that the games' fantastic realms are a tribute to imagination. We also must understand a man's need for adventure. But I suggest we confront it for the horrible waste that it is. Ultimately there is no impact!

Ten years ago, I was taking a "year off" from graduate studies and started playing Sid Meier's Civilization 2. Engrossing game. Although I didn't play it when Lisa was home, I regret the 2 hours or so I used to play it after getting home from work, before she got home. I quit after a few months when my friend Ken Cleaver (now a prof at Liberty University) once told me he avoided PC games as a "waste of time" (he put it directly, but softly and gently in the spirit of Christ, what a great guy), and I knew that it was. I wasn't an addict on the level of the guys in the article, but I still regret the ultimate loss of that time.

I know that there are teen ministries that use Halo and the like to bond with their students... I recognize that, I'm sure in many contexts, that's fine with careful judgment. But let's be vigilant against any addiction other than addiction to Jesus (thanks Brennan Manning). Guys in their 20s and 30s need to be in the real world, though (again, unless you're using it as a ministry tool and EVEN THEN I'd say severely limit your time with this).

Spirit, enable us to show the men of our generation that there is no greater adventure than fighting for God's Kingdom! Let our own lives sing it!