I call my wife “Jane Jetson” when I see her talk to the watch on her wrist.  We used to be impressed with what our phones could do. Now our watches are just as capable. Yoda would probably say “Progressive We Have Become”.

We want the new. We get in line to buy the new. Our toys or electronics are more modern and edgy. But what about mankind, or the man or woman who holds those devices?  Are we more modern? Has human nature improved?

We talk less to humans and focus more on inanimate objects.  But we still make choices every day regarding our personal lives.  Do we make wiser ones? Oprah says “When you know better, you do better”. However, James says “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (4:17 NLT)

Clive Staples Lewis better known as C.S. Lewis used to be an atheist. He died the same day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I guess our modern world today is only acquainted with him because of the Chronicles of Narnia movie series, as he wrote the original books.  But in the 1952 classic Mere Christianity, he talks about man’s progress:

“We all want progress.  But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be.  And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.  If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”

Lewis’ wisdom still speaks from the grave.  Instead of a taking a quicker route through your junk or your issues, maybe you need to stop, and turn around and walk back to the right road.  Yeah the word “repent” is an ancient word. In modern lingo it means to make a 180-degree turn. That’s how we progress spiritually.

January seems to be the only month of the 12 when we take a hard look at ourselves. Who does not want to be better? But that question seems to refer to our exterior selves, not the interior.  We all know where our soul lives. Sometimes we avoid going there. We may attend church and warm a pew and put on our church face for an hour or two. When it’s time to leave, some of us return to our old selves. We never bridged the truth we heard into our day-to-day lives. Looking within is only for the brave. The prophet known for his moodiness and depression offers timeless advice:

“This is what the Lord says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!” (Jeremiah 6:16 NLT)

Which voice will you listen to in 2019?   

pictures courtesy of “Nelson & his Nikon”