Running to Keep Up

 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas." Hebrews 13:8-9

 

One thing that is so wonderful about God's freedom is that we do not have to chase after every latest new spiritual idea and trend. There's no need to exhaust ourselves on every latest book and changing idea. We don't have to worry about devoting ourselves to one path and when popularity fades having to run to another. God's ways are true, right and never fade. We have peace because a great portion of our lives is not taken up by chasing the ever fleeting trends of the world.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:2

God is the same as He was yesterday, and He will be the same tomorrow. Five hundred years ago He was the same and five hundred years from now He will be the same. He doesn't change the fashions or the technology on us so we are always struggling to keep up with Him. We don't have to keep up with God. We can run to His healing words and His healing life and He is the same. His word remains unchanging throughout our lifetime. We can read His promises thirty years from now and they remain the Rock which we can build our lives on. It's so comforting to know there are no shifting sands with God. He won't pull the rug out from under us one day. Unlike our human character, God will not falter or fail us. He is true and faithful. 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

As times change in a very fast paced world, technology rushes forward, and pop culture comes out with the latest and greatest we can rest in God's arms of peace. We should have discernment of what we'd like to keep up with and what part of the busy rush is best left behind. A life can easily be lived "chasing the wind" as Solomon says and it quickly flies by. 

"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

The old wisdom of years past was that new technology and trends were met with skepticism. If it made one live beyond their means, become a slave to it or compromised ones morals it was seen as unnecessary. They carefully judged what would really improve their lives and what changes were wise to open the door too. People wanted to keep their hearts and minds intact and right with God and they used wise discretion.

"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist." Proverbs 23:4

Today God is seen as outdated by many. His words are seen as no longer relevant in today's society, because they are "old." Truth doesn't go out of style and this is why God is unchanging. He is not going to come out with an updated edition of His word every year. Imagine the confusion and busy rush to keep up. Truth is truth, God is God, and human sin is human sin in any generation and we are in need of Jesus blood covering us every day. Just because we now can see someone's face over skype and type an email that reaches someone across the world in a manner of seconds does not mean we are in any less need of God. The technology around us and human advances does not take away man's sin and the need to be redeemed. Human minds may think our advances take us past God or make us like God, but our need for Him remains.

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

We are not consumed by an untruths, half truths, and lies. No new idea can rush in and take over when a life is built on the rock of unchanging faith. We don't dwell in the pools of trends for too long or we know they flood over the other more important truths. Wise people spend time getting to know the eternal truths and hiding them in their hearts. They do not spend large quantities of time pursuing what will change in a few weeks or months. A fools time was then spent chasing the world which will pass away, and then they have truly been chasing the wind. 

"Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!" Psalm 39:6 

Those who follow God and chase His eternal truths never worry about keeping up. Our minds are fixed in perfect peace and our hearts in the shadow of His never fading truth. Here we find peace and fulfillment as the busy rush goes on around us and we remain unscathed.

"Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it." Jeremiah 6:16