Sometimes I think that the craftiest work of the devil is the subtlest; encouraging societies to immerse themselves in news, warnings, pop culture and "trivial activities" such as Twittering. (I am twittering, by the way, but have only "tweeted" once.) The trick in all of these is moderation, and the human animal is really, really prone towards the other direction, and the devil knows this. We stare for hours at a computer screen instead of getting up and helping around the house, we're on our LinkedIn account seeing if anyone has "checked us out" instead of playing with the dog or making that call we've been putting off. The activites feel important, and that is the subtle devilishness; we are inactive and living in the life of the mind and ego instead of out in the real world God gave us. I think that the Lord will always think that a living tree of His design, and the contemplation of what it tells us about Him, is more important than our Facebook account or Youtube downloads.
News pours into our brains, and infiltrates our sleep, our conversations, and our comfort level. Is another terrorist attack around the corner? What will happen enxt in Afghanistan? Is the Dow up or down? Is the rest of the week going to be rainy? In moderation, these questions are pertinent and worthy of consideration and prayer. Immersion in one or all causes spiritual stress, and also, interestingly, dilutes them.
Thank Heavens that no matter how people change, (and we ARE changing, have no doubt), God and His creations stay constant. Mountain ranges of His design still sit, silent and austere, frosted with clouds, also of His perfect, artistic design. Puppies still love to play, trees still bear delicious fruit, and rain still smells clean and full of natural promise. A spontaneous human smile, and that which caused it, are both God's miracles, presented in real time. Our failure to notice them or need them does nothing to alter them; we are nowhere near that powerful, and they are still beautiful in their scope and constancy.
So...how are you spending the bulk of your day, day in and day out? Are you more likely to meet God, whom you say you crave, in front of that computer screen, or going outside and soaking it all in, through the things He has laid out like a living carpet in front of you?
Days are numbered. Spend them well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What a great insight! I miss the days before, answering machines, cell phones, texting, email, IM,etc., etc., etc I watch how tied up my kids are in all this multi-tasking. ie- watching TV, listening to their IPods, texting and occasionally answering their cells to actually talk...all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what they would have done if they had been born in the years I was growing up- B&W TV that measured little more than 14 inches, picking up a phone and asking the operator to connect you to a 3 digit phone number, playing 7-Up with a ball and a wall, drawing blocks with chalk and jumping in them. Just remembering these things feels exciting to me. To them ...boring. How sad technology can be for relationships. How sad it must make God.
Wow, this is a convicting post! Thanks for the reminder :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen life ends, all plans come to an end. What remains is, "Where will I spend eternity?" The deaths of celebrities over the weekend have reminded even unbelievers of this. As they celebrate the entertainments of their icons, may they think also of what death means and want to be sure where they will spend eternity. It is a solemn thought.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has more meaning than ever for me, after a terrific family holiday last week with extended family. The two children present only made it a more vibrant and fun week, especially play Pictionary and Charades. Such moments live in memory and continue to bring giggles to mind. I love seeing 10-year-olds mime Titanic and The Perfect Storm, among others!
ReplyDelete