Redeeming the Time

Many of us live in a fantasy world. It overtook the real world we used to live in at some time in the semi-recent past and most of us aren't even aware of it or its full implications. We are caught up in fantasy leagues and faceless relationships. Collecting "friends" we've never met and "connecting" the dots in meaningless chatter is driving us on down a road to only God knows where. In this world of make-believe, significance seems to be measured now by how many people "like" us or our latest thought or activity, not by what God says of us or does in and through us. We settle for being "liked" by our constituency when we could be reveling in being loved far more by the unseen Maker and Sustainer of all things.

I don't know when the shift took place, but as we seek greater impact with less face-to-face interaction with real people with real issues, one thing becomes painfully apparent to me: besides the obvious legal and medical differences, how are we any different from the junkie who seeks his next fix? Just because it is legal and not immediately dangerous to our physical well-being, how is this way of life good for the soul? "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:15-17)

I am not saying that being technologically connected is bad and being unconnected is good. You can live in as much of a fantasy world without a television, computer or a cell phone. I just somehow feel the pull dragging at my heart more in these days for some reason and want to guard against slippage. As Paul told his young apprentice Timothy, "pay close attention to yourself and your teaching" (1 Tim. 4:16) Watch your life and doctrine closely.