The Medicine Cabinet: Turn It Off — Tuesday
1 John 2:16
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (NLT)
Our phones are amazing works of technology. They give us access to more books than we could read in 100 lifetimes. They can stream an almost endless amount of music. We can communicate via video with anyone in the world in an instant. And what do we use our phones most often for? Sharing pictures of our food and our pets.
When I read this verse in 1 John, my mind immediately goes to social media. Facebook and Instagram (among the countless other social media sites and apps I’m too old to understand) give us the opportunity to connect with friends and family in an unprecedented way. But after scrolling through their posts, I begin to feel that their lives are much better than mine. Their houses are immaculate, but my lawn is more weeds than grass. Their food looks like it was prepared by a gourmet chef, and I made frozen pizza for dinner. They work out daily and are much more fit than I am. I see pictures of them on tropical vacations or with brand-new cars or phones. And all too quickly, I have given in to jealousy. I start to notice the wear on my car, and I yearn for a nicer, newer one. I start scrolling through Zillow to see what house prices are around me and what I could afford. I start to lose my gratitude for the things God has given me and start to want all the things I don’t have.
It’s a vicious cycle. In two years, the newest, nicest car will be sitting on a used car lot somewhere. Regardless of how beautiful your meal is, it will be gone in a short time. Vacations become memories. Technology becomes outdated. It makes you wonder if the writer of Ecclesiastes had this in mind when he wrote “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2b).
As 1 John 2:16 reminds us, jealousy, envy, and pride are not from the Father. So what does come from the Father? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Tuesday’s Reflection
I have two challenges for us all today:
1. Take a week-long break from social media. Don’t post, don’t scroll. Better yet, delete the apps altogether.
2. Start making a list of all the things you’re thankful for. Add to it daily and spend time being thankful for the things you have.