The Attraction of Distraction

 Your calling might be boring, and that's okay.

Creative Christians

WE LOVE OUR distractions. We pretend they are a nuisance only to seek them out, often subconsciously. The constant ding, ping, and vibration of the PhoneWatchTablet triggers a dopamine rush that leaves us craving more.

But this problem isn't a recent one. Prior to smartphones, people clutched their Blackberry phones—nicknamed Crackberries for their endorphin-induced addictions—not to mention email, instant messages, and regular old television.

Distractions have been around as long as humans have. Look to language for some clues.

Trust Not in Human Leaders

Only God can provide true nourishment.

Nick Scheerbart

IT SEEMS ALMOST universal that we humans place our hope in other humans to rectify our problems. Look no further than American presidential elections. Every four years millions watch with bated  breath to find out if their candidate won. The acute reaction to election results on both sides of the political aisle are telling—literal weeping and despair on one side and elation on the other.

But these reactions are the exact symptoms you would expect to see from those who have given their hearts to human leaders. Lest you think I'm immune, I can tell you I too have been swept up in presidential elections in the same manner. Even as far back as 1996 when I was not yet 13 years old, I recall being downcast at Bob Dole's defeat. (Just about everything in the previous sentence is ridiculous.)

Therefore, I don't posture myself your judge. I understand the inclination to be happy or sad, because despite the intentions of the founding fathers of America, the presidential position does wield quite a bit of power.

Yet even when the preferred candidate wins, that person will never solve your problems no matter how wise or benevolent he or she is. Solomon wrote a proverb in a similar vein, about a peer oppressing the poor:

What Are You Known For?

  Start living for what you want to be known.

Tim Mossholder

WE KNOW PEOPLE based on their actions. Good or bad, reputations have a way of preceding us. John was "the Baptist." Frank Sinatra, "the Voice." Pinocchio, liar.

In Proverbs 21:24, Solomon writes about a different nickname. He wrote,

"'Scoffer' is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

    who acts with arrogant pride."

In case you're wondering, as I was, what exactly the word scoffer means, here is the definition according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Stop Acting Rich

   A preview of May's email-only article.

IT IS UNDENIABLE that God has a heart for the poor.

The Bible is replete with commandments and admonitions to care for the less fortunate. King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21:13 that "whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." And Jesus echoed a similar message with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16.

But Jesus pushed the issue beyond material wealth, which gives Solomon's proverb another level of meaning. And that's exactly what we're discussing in this month's email-only article.

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This is a chilling parable for those who heed not the words of Solomon and ignore the cries of the poor. And Abraham's mention of Moses and the Prophets reinforces the point above. God not only cares about the less fortunate, but he also commanded the people of Israel numerous times and in multiple ways to take care of them.

But I bring up the parable here only to show that Solomon's proverb contains a spiritual dimension as well.

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The Unparalleled Gift of Gray Hair

A preview of August's email-only article.

Tim Mossholder

WHEN YOU PONDER growing old, you might not be inclined to celebrate.

Instead you might feel anxious or despondent. Perhaps we can chalk up these common responses to the premium our society places on youth.

But old age, King Solomon argued, is a precious gift.

In this month's email-exclusive article, we'll examine Solomon's words on turning gray and why old age is actually good news.

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and if you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below. (If you are already a subscriber, check your inbox!)

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SOCIETY WON'T JUDGE you for feeling despondent upon noticing your first gray hair. In the 21st century, such an event might as well come with a death sentence because that follicle change signals the beginning of the end.

GQ calls your first gray a "somewhat sobering milestone." Allure compares white hair to "an unwelcome house guest." Both outlets then proceed to offer advice on how to handle the distressing new revelation.

Why the despondency? It's not so much the gray itself but what it signals: the descent to 4:00 PM dinner buffets, copious physician appointments, and telling the same stories to the same people.

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How the Wise Respond to God's Wrath

 A preview of February's email-only article.

Ben White

DO YOU EVER think about the wrath of God?

I know our heavenly father's final judgment is everyone's favorite pastime, but those who are wise do not shy away from the subject.

In this month's email-exclusive article, we'll examine Proverbs 16:14, its spiritual applications, and why God desires repentance, not penance.

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and if you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below. (If you are already a subscriber, check your inbox!)

Here's a snippet of this month's exclusive:

I LOVE THE multidimensionality of advice offered in the book of Proverbs. On the one hand the book provides practical guidance for life with passages like, "The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there" (20:4, BSB). And on the other hand Proverbs pours out spiritual salves in verses such as "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (4:23). 

Often, you get both levels of insight within the same verse. 

Proverbs 16:14 is a good example: "A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it." The verse may not seem too practical since we do not answer to kings. Nevertheless we all have authority figures in our lives--bosses and teachers to name a couple--who have the power to impact our lives. Their wrath may not bring about death in a literal sense, but a termination or failed course can ruin one's livelihood. As a result, we would do well to prevent, if possible, their ire and, if not possible, to appease it.

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