On this day in 2001, the GameCube® home video game console was released in the United States.

In 2001, Nintendo launched the sales of its latest video game console—the GameCube®. Unlike the flat reception the video game console received in Japan, the U.S. launch smashed all previous sales records. GameCube became the fastest-selling console of all time.

Video games can be fun and exciting. With the help of state-of-the-art graphics and special effects, players can jump into the cockpit of a space ship or explore an ancient fantasy world on horseback. And no matter what happens during the course of the game, if you need to stop, you simply hit the pause button, save your game, and pick it up again on another day.

And here’s the beauty of video games—there are no consequences. Or at least no real consequences. Sure, you might lose points for not hitting enough targets. Or you might not make it to the next level. But you get as many chances as you want to go back and replay the game.

Real life is nothing like the video games we play. When you make a choice or decide to take a certain action, there are consequences. For example, maybe you choose not to study for the math test. Possible consequence? A failed test. Or maybe you decide you don’t have time to help your friend. Consequence? A hurt relationship that needs fixing.

Sometimes we get a retest, or our friend forgives us and gives us another chance. But as the writer of Proverbs advises, it is wiser to consider the consequences of a particular action or decision beforehand.

A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences (Proverbs 27:12).

To Do

It’s time for “Decisions and Consequences.” Think of the decisions you made today. What were the consequences? What might be some possible future consequences?

Also on this day

1820—Captain Nathaniel Palmer became the first American to sight the continent of Antarctica.

1928—Mickey Mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.