January 2021
Happy New Year! Several years ago, for our anniversary, Tom and I went to our favorite steakhouse to commemorate God’s blessings in our marriage. As we sat down, the waitress said, “Are we celebrating a special occasion?” Tom responded, “I’ll have iced tea.” After she walked away, Tom remarked how unfriendly she had been. You see, at that particular point in time, Tom’s hearing was almost non-existent. Unable to hear, Tom filled in the script with his own version of what was happening. Yet, the reality was very different. As I did my best to explain what had happened, (Tom couldn’t hear me either – LOL) we had a good laugh.
I share this because I fear we all, during this season of COVID and social distancing, have fallen prey to our own echo-chambers. We pay attention to TV programs, podcasts, news, family, and friends that reinforce our own thoughts, beliefs, and preferences. Say what? No way!
Well, not being a professional in human behavior and social sciences, I will simply give you my impressions of current trends in eliminating unfavorable situations, opinions, and commentaries. And, I might just sprinkle in some things I have caught myself doing (Ouch!) which contribute to my self-reinforced and very one-sided conversations (with myself):
COVID: Successful navigation during the pandemic has resulted in spending less time in community and more time in our own homes surrounded by our selected ‘pod’ of people.
Facebook and Social Media: Don’t like what people are posting on Facebook? Unfriend and you will no longer have to read their posts anymore.
Television: Don’t like what you are seeing on Fox News, CNN or the prime-time channels? That’s okay. Change stations. There are a zillion other channels and at least one will share your viewpoint.
Personalized shopping and web surfing: Looking for a blender? Air fryer? New pair of shoes? Article on how to do things your own way? Have you noticed that once you start looking online, ALL the ads on your feed are suddenly presenting a multitude of choices? Gotta love these new personalized algorithms helping us browse, purchase, and read more selectively.
Where am I going with this? I can only speak for myself, but I think I might have begun to develop my own personal feedback loop. I hear, read, listen, and engage with media that agrees with ME. I am creating my own script of what is happening in this world. I am reinforcing, doubling back, and re-reinforcing my thoughts, ideas, and interpretations.
This is NOT GOOD.
As a Christian, I know my way of doing things, my way of living, my simple act of being, is fraught with sin. Without God, without the Holy Spirit in my life, I will never choose well. I am simply not able to meet His standards of love, mercy, justice, and grace.
Oh no. I need to get back to Him. Pronto.
You see, God is the authority. His Word – the Bible – is what I should be reading, paying attention to, and studying. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) His Word is EXACTLY what I need in today’s complex and conflicting times. He is the final authority, and I don’t need to wonder what is right, where to turn or what to do.
I should look to Him, to His Word, to the Bible for my concerns, confusion, and daily life – whether in quarantine or not. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17) As I study His Word, I grow closer to Him. I begin to know Him more fully and, with the Holy Spirit, can honor and glorify HIM in all that I do.
The Bible is exactly what we need today and each and every day. In Tom’s series, “How to Stay Straight in a Crooked World,” Tom begins with the authority of the Bible. https://www.prioritylivingaz.org/audio-archives/2012/9/20/the-final-authority. I think you will enjoy his applications in 2012 .
As we look to the new year, I pray that you and your families remain safe and healthy through the pandemic. I pray that you will spend time studying His Word and grow closer to God. As Tom would say, “We study the Word of God to know the God of the Word.”
Will you join me in getting back to God - the One True Authority?
Will you commit to spending more time with Him and His Word in 2021?
I hope so.