Berwick Thought for the Week: We have something of a conundrum

Athletes pushing themselves harder than they thought possible; team members leaving everything out on the pitch; rivals exposing an ugly streak of unsporting vitriol.

All to entertain the masses as they recline remote in hand, surfing only the channels as they wait for the next thrilling moment, but they needn’t worry if they miss it, they can always rewind.

In this ability, technologically facilitated we have something of a conundrum. Never before have so many been able to do so little to access so much.

So much indeed that after the relentless inpouring of images, sounds and emotions, it is no wonder that the human mind feels clogged, saturated, stuffed, and yet slow to break free.

Rehan Khan writes that we are distracting ourselves to death and describes this addictive and bewildering tendency, especially amongst digital natives.

Jonathan Haidt describes our current generation of young people as an anxious generation. He exposes how the rewiring of their brains through digital media is leading to mental health crises. But what does this have to do with Christianity?

My point is, simply, that distraction, dislocation and distance from some things is damaging us, but from God our maker, our guide, our saviour and our master, this distance and distraction is devastating, yet he promises not to add to our confusions, burdens and anxieties.

Instead, because he has substituted himself in our place to provide forgiveness for our sin, we are called to be “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7), as we love him.

Maybe we, as a society, could focus on these words – for our own good, now, and in the age to come.

Rob Parson is the pastor of Wooler Evangelical Church. He lives in Wooler with his wife and four boys, having recently received his MA in Theology from Oak Hill College in London.

He has previously lived in the North East for more than a decade, working for a church with students, children and youth. He enjoys reading, teaching, chatting, getting out into the Cheviot Hills and enjoying the beaches of Northumberland with his family.