Wow! What a year 2020 has been, huh? Here we are in December and many people are looking back at this past year with lots of unanswered questions. Serious questions about life and mortality. Every day there are new questions raised about government, politics, and justice. What are the numbers today? Do we go? Can we shop? Can we have company over? Who does one even trust anymore? Everyone has an opinion, right? Yes, everyone deserves to have a voice and should be able to voice their own opinion. But the question I am asking today is, who or what are we forming our opinions from?
In this day and age, we literally have the world at our fingertips. Statistics (taken from 2018) show that 3.1 billion people — roughly one-third of the global population — use social media. Globally, the number of social media users has grown by 13% (362 million) in the past year. The average person spends nearly 2 hours a day using social media, which amounts to 5 years and 4 months of his/her lifetime. For teens, social media time spent could be up to 9 hours every day.
The majority of Americans use Facebook and most users check the app daily. 68% of Americans have an account, and 74% of those user’s report checking the app at least once a day — 51% report checking Facebook several times daily. We are not only becoming social media addicts as some reports like this have said—we are social addicts.
I’m not here to condemn anyone for their social activity. That’s not my place or my point. My point is that it’s very obvious where a lot of people are forming their opinions from. Before you write me off, I’m not suggesting that one should not be and stay connected and be informed. I appreciate and utilize all these technologies. I too want to be well informed. But I also realize that people including myself can be easily influenced and thereby form opinions based solely upon where and who they get their information from. We all know the days of picking-up a newspaper, or listening to the evening news, while hearing unbiased or objective reporting are long gone. We joke about others thinking that something must be true if it’s on the internet—but I wonder just how many are actually assuming the same when they are merely led by the opinions of others or by the mainstream media?
Perhaps you are one who prides themselves as being your own person. You may believe you don’t follow after anyone. But let’s be honest—unless you were born in a cave and then raised by animals (#JungleBook), you are not only influenced by others, but you are as well following someone or something. To be very honest, we are all following someone. We teach our kids right from wrong and try to influence them on how to act and behave. We try to steer them into good directions and want good influences around them—yes? Of course, we do. And we too continue to follow the things that influence us. You may be the strongest of leaders and claim you march to the beat of your own drum, but don’t kid yourself—you are still following someone or something.
I love the fact that I serve a God who through His son Jesus, has given me the ability to choose. He could have demanded that I simply follow rules and regulations a.k.a. “religion” but rather, out of his love and desire to have a relationship with me, He gave me the right to choose. Thank you Jesus!
I also recognize that I/we all have a human nature. My human nature has desires that are about me, myself, and I…it’s about MY flesh. The Apostle Paul warns us about this way of thinking. But he doesn’t just warn us—he gives us an alternative to this way of thinking that will not only bless God—but will bless us with continual guidance throughout our lives. He said: But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). — Galatians 5:16 (AMPC)
It’s interesting that Paul did not say that the cravings or desires of the flesh would no longer exist for us. He did say, though, that we can choose to be led by the Holy Spirit, and by making that choice, we wouldn’t give in to the temptations that try to separate us from God.
In Matthews Gospel the disciples were concerned about the Pharisees judging or condemning them for not following some former religious laws. Jesus said to them, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Matt 15:14. I believe we can apply these wise words from Jesus to so many of the questions and situations we are all facing today. There are blind guides coming from all directions. I don’t know who you follow on social media, what network you tune to, or who you support, but if you are not lining-up what you hear with Godly wisdom you may be blindly being led by the blind. Who are you putting your trust in? It does not matter the type of initials in front of one’s name or the number of degrees that follow it. If people are not seeking wisdom from God, they are essentially blind to the things of God—including His voice. NEWS FLASH…God still speaks today!
There are tons of other voices trying to lead us today—other people, the devil, or even our own flesh (our body, mind, will, or emotions)—and often several are talking at the same time. When we accept the Lord Jesus into our lives, God in turn puts the Holy Spirit into us (see 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Timothy 1:14, Romans 8:11). He is ready and waiting to speak to us, we just have to ask. Friends, the Holy Spirit is the voice we need to follow!
When we are choosing to be led by the Holy Spirit our lives will be full of peace and be successful in the most rewarding of ways—both eternally and here on earth. Yes, even in tough times, we can have peace. Everything that God has and wants for us is good. Perhaps you have been taught or thought that you first need to be a good enough person in order to be acceptable to God, and therefore you are not worthy to be able to have the help of the Holy Spirit. If that is you, you have been misinformed. That’s simply not Biblical and totally contrary to the teachings of Jesus. He is no respecter of persons, and He will accept you as you are. That’s just how He works.
I have more great news! With all the chaos and questions around us today, God is still on the throne. Yes, He is, and He is working in our midst and contending with people’s hearts at this very moment. He cares about every single detail of your life. He loves you! No matter what you have done or perhaps how unworthy you may feel, He cares about every area of your life. He is ready and waiting to hear from you.
Don’t be dismayed, God is on the move and exciting days are ahead. I believe we are about to see and experience the most amazing days of signs wonders and miracles of God that we have ever seen. Give Him your worries, doubts, and frustrations today. He is my peace, is He yours? Whose voice will you choose to follow? May God bless you as you choose to follow His voice today.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
We would love to here from you. Leave a comment, question, or prayer request through the Contact page.
See You in the River 