Originally, I had just one post in mind for this. But things keep coming up. It started with a mom who was just unashamedly initiating a pattern of unhealthy lifestyles for her sons... and brought home for me the whole epidemic of child obesity we placate by slapping a 'No Trans Fats' or 'Organic' sticker on foods. The solution to which, of course, is a healthy video game.
But then, I was struck by how often I rely on Google for information. It seems I am remembering less and less information, and taking in more and more. What I take in through various mediums, sadly, is becoming like upwardly mobile suburbanites crowding an otherwise peaceful and enjoyable beachfront neighborhood. In an effort to facilitate the 'crowding' I just lower my standards. Maybe this is the one that bothers me the most, as a grad student and... well... as a person. I am convinced that 100 years ago people my age were much more intelligent. We are inundated, watering down our intellect and stripping us of our successful utility of valuable and worthwhile communication. Still, we are blissfully ignorant, referring to our Wiki App on our iPhones in everyday conversation. It reminds me of one of the most compelling secular books I've ever read- and I can only imagine how the author would react to 2009 (since he was raising these issues in 1986 when TV was the issue).
One of the books I've been reading here at seminary is called 'Lies Women Believe And the Truth That Sets Them Free.' It truly is an excellent book. I happen to think that the lies she addresses affect all mankind - not just half. One of the striking issues she raises points out our need to meet our own needs. Even if we don't actually believe it, we sometimes make choices on the premise that God isn't meeting our needs. The bane of our conscious. And our conscience. The proof of this is in the 5,000 books on 'Finding God's Will' which he already makes so clear to us, or the money we spend on the next cool gadget that will distract us from our real lives, or the 13-billion dollar porn industry. You name it. We do it.
Like a dog returning to its vomit, we keep trying to gratify ourselves. Feeding kids junk that end their lives sooner. Entertaining and informing ourselves enough that we understand a little about a lot, but not a lot about a single thing. Asking stupid questions, and chasing after the wrong answers.
When did we forget that we could be perfectly content in Him?
4 comments:
unfortunately...we forgot at the Fall, and we continue to forget about our God. good thoughts
Wow, AnneMarie, I know that we go to a Southern Baptist school and all, but I'm gonna go ahead and say it:
Preach that word!
It's so true and I am as guilty as the next. I cannot sit still long enough to read a chapter of a book, much less an entire book, but I can numb out to an entire season of How I Met Your Mother without even thinking about it.
So, wanna watch a Netflix movie later? ;-)
Good word my friend!! I just picked up the book to read also:) (Lies Women Believe) I had bought it for a young friend who never came to pick it up and I was thumbing through it yesterday and thought the same thing, EVERYONE should read it! I love you!
That seminary up there's doing you some good :) Excellent post Anne Marie, keep thinking and writing.
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