Recently I was in a hotel, tired from the day's riding. I turned on the TV, flipped channels to a sitcom and watched.
Now I need to preface this with a statement, I really don't watch TV anymore. If I watch a show I stream it on the internet. Maybe an hour a week, if that? I just don't find most of it interesting.
So what I saw just struck me.
The show played for about five minutes, then I counted over a dozen fifteen second commercials. Each designed to make me feel as if something were missing from my life unless I bought what they were selling. Then back to the show that again played for a few minutes and back to the commercials.
After about fifteen minutes of that, I shut it off.
The sheer abundance of those commercials reminded me of how media overloaded our lives are today. How we just get messages in magazines, on the internet, radio, constantly, all day long.
And at the end of the day, what is the fruit of all this? Do we feel we are living the abundant life Jesus promised?
That brings me to Proverbs 4. The entire chapter is a plea to chase after wisdom.
"Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.." Proverbs 4:10-13 (NIV)
This is why we so desperately need time in the Word each day. The Bible is the source of God's wisdom.
Today, let's think about this call...
"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
on top of the wall she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
"How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings. "Proverbs 1:21-23 (NIV)
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