In this day and age, life is nuts. There's not much slow-time, down-time, sittin'-in-the-rocking-chair-outside-the-general-store-chattin' time. Instead, we have TV-time, computer-time, playstation-time, Wii-time, ipod-time, cell-phone-time, facebook-time, shoutlife-time, twitter-time, blog-time.
I've been pondering this quandary for a while. Since we have appeared on TV shows, my email inboxes have overflowed. And I mean o-v-e-r-f-l-o-w-e-d. Social networking and marketing are very important to any author, but how on earth can you possibly keep up? I have 9300+ email in one inbox as I write this. It's overwhelming to say the least.
But my overweight email accounts are not why I'm writing this post. People spend so much time watching TV, or on the internet, or with techie toys. I watched a seven-year-old at swim team the other day - the child had an ipod, which he was listening to in one ear, and was holding a cell phone up to the other ear. I think back to when I was seven, we didn't have personal computers, or internet, or ipods, or cell phones. I don't even remember caring about whether my clothes matched or if my hair was brushed! And that was really NOT that long ago! But I digress...
My point is that we're too caught up in our "techno" world. I'm not saying it's not useful - it definitely has a place in our lives. But, we want to be entertained. We want to be hand-delivered an answer to life's questions by text, twitter, or IM. Is that what life is really all about? How much time do we waste playing games, surfing the net, watching TV, texting, IMing, the list could go on and on? Believe me, I've thought on this a lot as I've had to invest more time into my author relations. I don't watch TV at all, and I don't play video games - but, I do have to spend a good deal of time on email, networking, marketing, etc.
That brings me to a group on Facebook that has caught my attention. It's called, "The Campaign. One Gospel. One Person. Each Week." And it's something of eternal value. Not like a game of Scramble that takes three minutes and makes you use your brain a little. It's about life. And eternity. Are you sharing your testimony? Are you reaching out to others?
I'd like to challenge you to think about that. Think about all the time you spend watching your favorite TV show or sports. Or all the time on the internet that's just wasting time (my famous author friend, Donita K. Paul, and I have come up with a name for it - "Downloafing"). How much time are you spending on something really worthwhile? It's quite the topic to consider.
"The Campaign" is doing something that I love. They are using the social networking outlet to help challenge believers to share their faith. Instead of just another silly group that spends time counting the hairs on our heads (I'm being sarcastic) - it's doing something that IS of eternal value. A challenge to all of us to remember the big picture, to remind ourselves what life is truly all about.
I wrote a song many years ago now, that is entitled "You Are." It's about everything the Lord is to me. We were on the mission field at the time, and I was struggling - no internet, no phones, no mail - I thought I "needed" contact with the outside world. God gently got my attention that day and helped me to realize that I don't really NEED anything. Think about that for a minute. I don't need friends and family. I don't need a roof over my head. I don't need food. I don't need internet. I don't need a car. Why? Without some of those things for extended periods, I may die, yes. But what happens next? What matters?
The answer: My relationship with the Lord. If I die, where am I headed? That's truly our one and only need - a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When you can grasp that, and put it all into perspective - your outlook will completely change.
So, yes, I'm challenging you. Join The Campaign on Facebook. Get out there and be willing to share your faith - which should be the most important part of your life.
We should have more groups like this - that combine our techno world with true purpose. One day at a time.
5 comments:
Totally guilt of down-loafing.. this is excellent... thanks for the challenge.
LOL I'm such a down-loafer!!! And it's fun! LOL You kick me all the time for it...
As far as the "techie" era... I'm lost... I'm "typing" this via someone else's computer. :) But i have to agree with all of it. Especially the TV. Quite a while back i was shocked with what i saw on one particular show and how it affected me. I've learned to shut off the television because of the images replaying in my mind. Was it good? No. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brothers what ever is true whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence,and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things." (NAS) Do i still watch television? Yes, very selectively.
Last evening I received a phone call very late at night, from a mom who just needed to talk. She had been on my heart and but i hadn't thought of a time when we could really talk. I wondered... Why hadn't i called her first??? Her husband is in Iraq an she's taking care of the kids.
I really couldn't tell you what i was doing when she called. I was probably plotting my grocery list. Deciding who get to sleep where when company arrives for the holidays. Yes... these are important things, but why didn't I listen to the little voice that kept telling me to call her? Another modern convenience i could use for the Kingdom?!?!
After all, the TV wasn't on!!
again- blessed beyond measure by your messages. Thank you.
And thank you Lori for sharing your heart as well. I was deeply touched.
Caren
I am new to your website but I will definitely be returning. I got totally engrossed in reading and love your notes. Thanks for sharing from your heart. I'm loving it. I noticed you have a non-fiction book coming out do you have fiction as well? I noticed in some of the posts you talk about it.
Looking forward to reading more,
Cassie
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