INFORMATION OVERLOAD

In today’s world we are bombarded with information. TMI or too much information is available at our fingertips; we have the answers to just about anything.  There are search engines,  GPS devices, millions of websites, billions of web posts,  satellite radio, cellphones, social networks and television shows that fan the flames of controversy and human depravity. Whatever we desire is available to us at the click of a button.

And once we click a button, another is demanding our attention. We are streaming our music nonstop while working, looking up facts on the latest browser, checking emails on numerous accounts, sending/receiving text messages, browsing through photos of old classmates, answering phone calls on multiple lines, and recording shows on DVR while we do all of these other things. For convenience, some of us have reduced all of this activity to one device; and yet we are still bombarded with too much information. We have all of this excessive access while slowly diminishing our reverence for God and direct contact with people.
But isn’t it just like the enemy to pervert what God has had for us all along? Yeah, feel it for a moment…let that marinate before moving on.
God! in His infinite wisdom has always been accessible… ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1 NIV). The manifestation of Christ conveys the wisdom and revelation of God in the written word that is the Bible, which is full of information that is necessary for survival in this world and for all eternity. The Bible teaches us about wisdom, joy, love, pain, betrayal, forgiveness, grace, and mercy- revealing a peace that is found only in relationship with Jesus Christ; and it is solely inspired by God, with no additives or preservatives…just raw truth (see 2Timothy 3:16 and 1Corinthians 2:13 NIV).
The Internet, smart-phones, cable television,  and unlimited access to information are useful distractions…these things are just tools for survival today, not the eternity that God has for us. So the next time we log-in, turn on, turn up, plug-in or click those buttons, remember that God put us here for His purposes, with unlimited access to Him.  He has blessed us with many tools for kingdom purposes, to worship, bring joy, offer praise, and spread the wisdom that is only found in relation to God through the Word that is Jesus Christ!

Scripture: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for giving us unlimited access to Your Word.  We pray for those with no access to the written word at all; and that the Holy Spirit will deliver the Word where laws and cultures will not allow. Forgive our selfishness when we were disconnected from You through our extended use of things, and forgive our disregard for others. Help us to get better connected with you and the Body of Christ as we spread the good news for all to witness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Read John 1:1-18, 10:34-39; 1Corinthians 2:4-16; 2Timothy 3:15-17