“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares
us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” ~ Hebrews 12:1
Could we see it coming? In the 1990s and into the 2000s; Telephones
became cell phones, faxes became emails became texts, desktops became laptops and then
tablets. Cell phones became Blackberrys®, and then blue tooth ear pieces arrived
and then came smart phones. Technology has allowed us to cram tons of
information and functionality into smaller and smaller devices while pushing
our productivity well into our leisure time. We can work anywhere - any time. “Myth
of scarcity” oriented employers love this. “Lyric of abundance” believers
struggle for balance. The boundary lines are blurred or gone altogether.
I remember thinking that this ability to work anywhere, any
time would allow even the most inefficient worker to appear deceptively
productive with 24X7 available to get an 8X5 job done. Initially, it was
everyone’s “edge” on the other. And with that enlarged 24X7 window every
industry expanded its expectations to occupy it and we are now - many of us -
24X7 slaves by default … thanks to technology. Progress or “Rat Race” redefined
and turbocharged?
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word,
and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and
he becomes unfruitful.” ~ Matthew 13:22
Anyone who is not caught up in the scenario I have described
above has maintained their freedom and leveraged the new technology for good
through conscious (borderline rebellious) deliberate effort. But those gadgets still
beckon and call for our attention with a seductive aroma of guilt that draws us
to our busy little devices at all hours and amidst all activities to “take care
of business” (whatever that may be) that is never done. The cares of the world
cry out to us like the Sirens of Greek Mythology.
To all the type “A”s out there reading this with mental notes popping in their heads; you may rationalize
all you wish. Those gadgets in the pic above are from my tech "junk drawer" ...
The cares of the world, the things of this world, being
conformed to the world are all things we are warned about in the Bible. They
are traps and snares cleverly devised to siphon away the joy intended for us in
this life and - yes - in this age..
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2
If you are a believer, you are not of this world, though you
are certainly in it. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, Jesus prays for the glorious
outcome of His mission in this world, He prays for His disciples and He prays
for all future believers (that's you and I!). This is Jesus’ last act before His arrest, trials and crucifixion. Jesus’ prayers in that instance are in deliberate contrast to the world system in which He knew we would struggle. The word “world” is repeated 17 times in John 17 in the New King James
version. Check it out.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For
all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And
the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God
abides forever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17
A recent post written by Os Hillman (TGIF) titled “To Know
My Ways” resonates;
“Technology is supposed to make our ability to accomplish things easier and
make us more productive. I love the technology gadgets available to us today.
In twenty years these will seem as old and archaic as the eight track player.
(See, some of you don't know what that is.) Research reveals that the average person is working much longer hours today because we literally can work from anywhere. Our technology allows us to stay in constant contact with others, which means we are always on call. Unless we intentionally set boundaries, we will never rest from our work.
God got angry with the people of Israel because they did not know His ways. They failed to recognize the boundaries He had set for them that would ensure a spiritual and physically successful life. They chose to disregard His ways. This disobedience led to their inability to enter God's rest.
God's rest means that we can actually do our work and still be refreshed through His Spirit in our inner man. It is the opposite of sweat and toil. It means that the fruit of our work comes as a result of abiding in the vine of His grace and power. Jesus said you can do nothing (worthwhile) unless you are connected to the vine.
In order to do this you and I must do two things. We must understand His ways and we must do His ways. When we follow these two things, we will begin to experience His supernatural rest in all of our endeavors.”
"Reprinted by permission from the author. Os
Hillman is an international speaker and author of 15 books on workplace
calling. To learn more, visit http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org"
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
~ Colossians 3:2
Blessings,Bill
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