One of the greatest games of all time has been the Kingdom Hearts series. Disney and Square Enix came together to create with themes of light and darkness, finding your purpose, and the bond of friendship, which have never been more prevalent than in this series. The title in this series that I will be highlighting is the lesser known Kingdom Hearts 358/2 days. It came out on the Nintendo DS and is now available as part of the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix collection, so I was finally able to get my hands on it. The downside is that the game is completely done in cut-scenes so you can’t play it, but with the HD graphics and story line didn’t disappoint.
The interaction between Axel, Roxas and Xion (the main characters) is such a touching yet sad story that every Kingdom Heart fan must experience. Learning about trust, friendship and why we are here are topics that are highlighted throughout. For those that are unfamiliar with these characters and the game, let me give you the details.
Sora, the protagonist of the series, has fallen into a deep sleep to recover his power and strength. During that time, his memory has become Roxas who looks very much like Sora. Xion is what Sora remembers of his friend Kairi and Roxas is Sora’s personal memories, so they are both just representations of Sora. The antagonists, Organization XIII, created Xion to absorb and copy Sora’s power by being close to Roxas. In this way, they would be able to gain the power of the Keyblade which is the ultimate weapon in the Kingdom Hearts world.
Instead of going exactly as Organization XIII planned, Xion ended up developing her own memories and became friends with Roxas and Axel, members of the organization. Together they would eat sea salt ice cream at the top of a tower and relax, watching the sun set over the town. Little by little, Xion began taking away power from Roxas and they were both confused as to what was happening. They would be in and out of deep sleep and would have flashbacks of Sora’s own memories, not knowing who he was or why they were having these dreams.
As anyone would, they began seeking answers as to who they really were, what Organization XIII’s plans are, and who Sora truly is. Xion decided to leave and find Namine, the witch who was protecting Sora during his recovery process. Namine and Riku, Sora’s close friend, revealed individually to Xion what was happening to her and how she needed to become one with Sora once again so he can awaken. Not knowing what was the right decision to make, she leaves to face Axel who was pursuing her but eventually gives up her life and her memories are released back to Sora.
Xion reminded me of every human being searching, seeking, and desiring to know their reason for living. The most widely sought out question in humanity is why am I here. God has an answer though, and we find it in changing the way we think.
Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
We live in a world that has us trained to go to school, get a job, have a family, receive a pension after we retire, and live out our olden days crippled by some kind of disease or disability. That’s 100% wrong! God has wonderful plans for our lives, and when we start doing His will, which is perfect and amazing, then you will find your purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
We all want to find our place, just like Xion who didn’t know whether to keep working for Organization XIII, live peacefully with Axel and Roxas, or disappear and become Sora’s memories once more. Sure, that sounds good for the storyline but she was an individual with her own heart and memories. The Kingdom of hearts is God’s and He has given us all individuality to live out a life that pleases Him and brings Him glory.
Most people are not called to do ministry in a church setting, but instead have passions and talents inside of them that express Heaven on Earth. Whether it’s painting, teaching, speaking, medicine or some other craft, you will only find it when you dedicate your will to Him.
“How do I figure that out though? I’ve prayed, read the bible, gone to church, and I’m still not sure what to do. Help!”
I’ve been there, and am still there in various degrees so I can relate. It took much prayer and soul searching to figure out that I wanted to become a teacher as a career, but even now I feel inclined towards owning a business and retiring early instead of teaching. I didn’t make the wrong decision, it just evolved into something else.
I’m here to tell you that your life does has purpose, even if someone else has told you otherwise. You are not the product of your parents mistakes, God has placed a heart full of potential and possibilities if you would only allow Christ to guide you to them. His ways are much higher than our ways, and until we can let go of our ego and pride we will never see the future that has been planned before we even existed.
You came from God, the owner of all hearts.
Psalm 139:13-18
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
