I haven’t done it in ages, but I love driving in a snowstorm at night. When you put on your high beams, the snowflakes really reflect the light and the speed of the car makes it look like you are driving into a blizzard. Of course, these same factors really hinder your vision of what is out in front of you.
When we are back in the US, I am always struck by the lack of vision of many Christians. It’s like they only see the snowflakes and have no faith that the road that they started on, and are currently traveling, extends safely out into their future. There is so much talk about the cares and problems of this life, and there is so little talk about the powerful ways that God has provided for them in the past, about the assurance that he will do so in the future, and most importantly, about the peace that comes with the knowledge that our home in heaven is getting closer and closer.
Just take a look at these two verses about our hope and see how comfortable they make you feel:
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
—2 Corinthians 4:17-18
He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
—1 Peter 1:3-4
A different kind of no-vision scenario, perhaps even more common in our generation, is the blindness that comes when, rather than representing problems and worries, the snowflakes represent the bling of this world. Traveling down the highway of life, many people have come to a dead stop because they were distracted by their love of money and by the material things that they could buy. Here is a great verse on that one:
. . . hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? —Romans 8:24
So what: When we get distracted by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth, we don’t see the big picture and we don’t live out the purposes that God has for us–we don’t produce any fruit. We are the hope of glory for the nations and for the hurting and lost around us. We won’t be there for them if we are living in our own world.
In my opinion, the digital age and its associated riches (computers, phones) has brought on new ways for Satan to (if not blatantly ruin some by sin) to nicely and calmly distract believers into a weakened faith due to the complete distraction that is social media of facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. There are still only 24 hours in a day and if Christians are living X number of them in a digital/non-real world instead of with actual people, I think it’s detrimental.
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.”
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Thanks for your reply. Gadgets are definitely a distraction from God’s purposes. Also, I think that leaders with no vision divert our attention to issues that seem to be important, but that lead us away from obedience. Also, Satan simply dilutes the church by surrounding us with “believers” who are not dedicated “followers.” Distractions, Diversions and Dilution are all ways that Satan Deceives us and Dissuades us from doing what God says.
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