A Remedy for the Idle Mind – 30 June 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

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UT seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  (Matthew 6:33-34)

 

            The wise man, Benjamin Franklin, wrote – “An idle mind is the workshop of the devil” and so it is. The average youth, and some older, have been raised on the habit of instant gratification in everything – fast food restaurants, next day mail, instant knowledge revealed at the press of a computer button – no longer does a student need to do lengthy research for his papers since all is available on the internet. He can do his homework without even thinking.

 

            Opulence in all things in America has made us soft and not very personally independent, even socially reclusive. Computer games began with Space Invaders a few decades back. It wasn’t long until our youth became bored with that innocent game, so, now we have bloody games that are graphic in the shedding of blood. These have alleviated the boredom for a while, but now, real action is needed to satisfy what once was innocent curiosities. So, crime soars as the moral and social fabric of America has gone with the wind.

 

            Is the answer for our dilemma to be found in more cruel and bloody games, enhanced technology, more instantaneous response in service industries? No, I believe an over reliance on technology and communicative forums such as Twitter, Tik-Tok, YouTube and Facebook is part of the source of our modern day problem. We have no time to consider the deeper issues of life and relationships.

 

            There is an answer to our problems that is the only answer that seems unacceptable in our day. That solution is found in the Word of God. He is our Maker, and His counsel is inerrant, and His answers are always the best for our souls and society at large. 

 

            There are individuals walking our crowded streets, partying at our pubs, and interacting via computer who are intensely lonely and bored. They have not known the Fountain of Living Waters. They have not learned the Law of God’s Love and Compassion, so they have none of their own. Neither have they sought it. Instead, they have resorted to alcohol and narcotics. The little dose at first will not forever satisfy, so, they increase their abuse in greater and greater quantities until the soul is dead and the body soon follows.

 

            Though there remain pastors in America who still preach the undiluted Word, the greater majority teach and preach a corrupted word that is intended to satisfy itching ears and add to the coffers of the church. (Incidentally, a larger church fund results in higher pay for the preacher) This pre aching has no power lift up, bugt only to tear down.

 

            When the lonely and despondent one finds itself by the wilderness of Beersheba, there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He heard the cries of Ismael and found His mother, Hagar, by a Fountain of Water. Water is the thing most precious for which Hagar wept, but her profuse tears blinded her from seeing. He will do the same for all who earnestly seek Him. The lonely one will find a constant companion in Christ. His path in life will be made clear and his labors certain. Boredom will cease. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

 

         Once we call upon the Lord, we must focus on Himto the exclusion of the shiny adornments of the world. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

 

         Next, separate yourselves from those whose sins make them enemies of your soul and of your Lord. 

 

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HEREFORE come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  (Corinthians 6:17) 

 

         Then serve the Lord with all your heart. You can never do works enough to pay for your sins, but He has already done so. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)

 

         If you are lonely, bored and have no direction in life, come from that basement of despair and turn to the Light of God, I beseech you. He will give you meaning and direction in a turbulent world.