Warning: This article contains light spoilers for Pragmata
In Pragmata, Capcom’s latest title, human engineer Hugh has to work his way through a hostile space station. Along the way, he receives help from D-I-0336-7, an android with the appearance and personality of a young girl. Diana, as Hugh calls the robot, takes quickly to the engineer, offering to help him out as she rides around on his back.
As you work your way through the space station, you’ll run across Read Earth Memories. These are items that let you 3-D print items from back on earth. These include crayons, a ball, a slide, and things of that nature.
Given her childlike demeanor, Diana will ask Hugh about these, often wanting to experience playing with or using them herself. Along the way, she’ll give you a few endearing drawings she does herself, stylized to look like a 4-5-year-old kid did them for you to put on your fridge.
About halfway through the story, you encounter a holographic room made to look like a sunset on the beach. Diana is enamored, and Hugh promises her she’ll get to walk on that beach when this whole thing is said and done.
In this instance, I feel like we, as Christians, can identify with Diana. She’s never actually seen the beach, smelled the salty air, or felt the sand between her toes, yet the glimpse she’s experienced tells her it’s going to be the most wonderful thing to experience one day.
While we’ve never seen Heaven firsthand, we have faith that this life, with all its ups and downs, joys and hardships, will be an incredible reward when our journey is over.
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. – Matthew 18:2-5
In Matthew 18, Jesus tells his disciples that, unless they become like little children, they’ll never enter the kingdom of heaven. When we look at Diana and her approach to the world around her, I think we can get an idea of what Jesus was talking about here.
First, she approaches the world with a sense of wonder and appreciation. She’s thankful for each wondrous moment and marvels at the creation around her. She takes nothing for granted. 1 Thessalonians 5 tells us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Second, she’s humble in her approach. In theory, Diana’s a walking computer with access to anything she wants to look up. She spends an awful lot of her time hacking through different machines and systems, so I think it’s safe to assume she has that ability. Still, she’s willing to be humble and accept teaching and correction. Jesus himself served as an example of humility.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” –Philippians 2:6-8
“Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.” –Proverbs 15:31-33
I think it’s safe to say approaching our walk with humility, like Diana, is not only a good idea, but a righteous way to approach life.
Finally, Diana trusts Hugh implicitly and has faith that he’ll get her to that beach on earth. She has faith that what he says is true, and she’s promised to stick with him. Like her, we have to trust in the promises of God.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:5
In these ways, I feel Diana exemplifies what it means to have the “faith of a child.” We should all approach our faith with humility, trust, and gratitude, so we can stand on that beach one day and enjoy the sunset beside our Father.
Thoughts? Leave them below and let’s discuss!
This seem like a good game. But still have to check some other things out!
Nice article, Joe!