“It Is Not 1980!”
A technology issue in our home. My observation was added to the voices of others speaking freely. Jenna, my grand-daughter age 11---five feet eight inches tall, turned, looked at me directly, rolled her eyes and said: “Papa, it is not 1980!”
Whether my observation about technology was relevant is irrelevant to this writing. The larger point is that we have with us a generation that thinks of 1980 as being ancient. In my mind I wonder if they think events before 1980 and dinosaurs are in the same time zone.
Do they know about Watergate, Bay of Pigs, Sputnik and other events. I am not even sure such events are in “politically correct” history books. Evolution and a green earth are more likely the substance of modern textbooks. Wonder if they ever heard of civics, i.e., a course about appreciating democracy, the privilege of having an elective government, and our individual responsibility for our freedom?
This younger generation has grown up with a technology wave leaving many of us as “natives” in the wonder-world of iPods, BlackBerrys, Google and Facebook. Who would have imagined that a young man barely having enough beard to shave could invent Facebook and be one of the richest people in the world?
Finding balance is the critical issue. I have a BlackBerry. It is still far more intelligent than my ability to master it. I scroll through search engines to teach me how to use the small little wonder in my palm. Imagine talking on a wireless phone from Virginia, USA with a missionary in Africa, while traveling down the interstate highway gps'd by the same little instrument. Imagine getting wireless emails wherever.
While enjoying many of these privileges and advantages it is a struggle to keep balance. Life is steadily moving along. I go to the heart center at the university hospital. There is a sign on the entrance door: “Turn cell phones off!” The warning explains that a cell phone signal may interfere with life-support medical equipment.
Oh, my. I wonder about that warning. I wonder if too much of too much might not be interfering with our heart. Do we know how to time out? Do we know how to sit? Read a book? Have a face to face…not Facebook…real person conversation about the little things in life? Do we know how to take a walk with a friend and rejoice in the simple and beautiful things of God’s creation?
Balance. God calls us aside. Jesus understood this. He understood that his time on earth was limited, directed, and missional. He understood that life on earth was not about Him, but His Father’s will. He understood that if He failed His failure would have eternal consequences for all of creation.
Of this I am confident, we best find some happy meeting ground between the young and those born before 1980. We need each other. Speedily texting on a cell phone with two hands is not a statement of wisdom and fullness of life.
Wisdom is to choose God. Wisdom is to win others to Christ.
May I encourage you to take time to be holy. Take time to value quietness, time in prayer, time with a friend, and time to think upon good things.
Quality of life is not about when we were born---but how we have lived and do live since we were born! The best life is a Christ life. Whether before or after 1980 be sure you know Christ and share your Good News with others.
Pastor Bare
John 1:16