We live in a society of consumption.
We are inundated and infatuated with consuming.
I’m always acutely aware of this when the holidays roll around and people everywhere seem to be buying, spending, getting, consuming.
But I’m sure we’ve all noticed the consuming of other things…the consumption of content, entertainment, and social media. There have been seasons in my life when I’ve been a content creator and seasons when I’ve been a content consumer. I’ve sat entertained and amused by other people’s lives instead of creating and living in my own. Call it a form of escapism or boredom or just an addiction to mindlessly being entertained…it is a problem on many levels and for many people.
I think about younger generations who don’t even know what life is like without a phone or a screen to amuse them. A lot of these kids are raised on technology…beginning at an early age with an iPad to hold their attention in a restaurant, doctors office, or grocery store. What is tragic, though, is to think about the losses we’ve undoubtedly acquired from all of it. How many Van Gogh’s have we lost to the screen? How many composers, artists, authors, musicians, and poets have we lost? How many highly skilled craftsmen or craftswomen, gardeners, and designers have we lost?
One could essentially live a life and have not truly lived out their calling because our faces have been buried in the video games, sports games, tiktok reels, YouTube videos, social media personalities, etc.
I know I subtitled it a “kick in the pants for creatives” but if you are living and breathing then you have something valuable to share! You have gifts and talents, skills and abilities, a voice and a mission to fulfill in this world. And are you squandering them by filling extra time with entertainment? I can spend twenty minutes to an hour scrolling on social media or I can spend that time painting, reading, writing, or making some sort of progress in the goals I’ve set for myself or my family.
You may be wondering what this has to do with the ancient paths or walking the narrow road with our Messiah. Becoming excellent at a trade or skill or craft is a worthy pursuit and is pleasing to the Father. Most of the main characters throughout the pages of scripture were well skilled in many prestigious and honorable endeavors.
We will never excel in a craft or skill if we are consistently battling the big ugly beast of distraction. It takes discipline to turn off the noise…but when we do, a whole world of exciting possibilities await us! This discipline to turn off the voices and limit the overflowing content coupled with the discipline to take bold action toward our goals of making and creating is powerful.
You will feel alive!
Don’t be afraid to take the action you need to take, to kick the distractions to the curb, and offer Yahweh, your family, and the rest of the world your own creative voice.
Love to you,
Lauren