*Have you noticed that so many people are bowing their heads lately? Do you know why they are bowing? Could it be they are sorrowful, down-trodden, or spiritually penitent? No, there’s a more self-serving, self-absorbing reason; they are enamored by and engrossed in some electronic device.
Cell phone and iPad usage are more than just a passing fad; they have become a seemingly irreversible way of life. Human interaction is fast diminishing as people are more preoccupied (even to the point of addiction) with their own hand-held worlds. There’s an old gospel tune we used to sing called “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”; Allstate Insurance has boasted for years “You’re in good hands…,” but now, because of the ever-changing, ever-increasing technology, people feel they have the whole world in their own hands.
The other day while waiting at a stop light, I happened to look over at the passengers in the car next to me; both the driver and the passenger had their heads bowed. It was Sunday, but do you think they were praying? No! They were fixated on their hand-held devices, and obviously had no sense of their surroundings. Not once did they look over to see that I was deliberately staring to see when/if they would look up. They were not concerned about their surroundings. I could have pointed a gun at them and they wouldn’t even know.
Coincidentally, the next day my Uncle David called after he returned from bicycling. He said he was disturbed by what he saw while riding. He said everywhere he looked people had their heads bowed, but nobody was praying – they were texting or engaged in some other activity on their hand-held devices. Now Uncle David typically does not concern himself with such things, and for it to be so prevalent in his eyes says a lot. What is this world coming to?
Webster’s dictionary defines idolatry as: “The worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God.
Now don’t get me wrong: As long as it’s constructive and not destructive, there’s nothing wrong with advanced technology, entertainment or any number of interests, but when we bow more to those things than we bow to God our Creator we are out of order. It’s a matter of priority.
Perhaps all the disorder and unrest we are now seeing in society is a direct result of abandoning self-restraint and moderation. It’s been said what one generation does in moderation, the next does in excess. We need to revisit and re-emphasize God’s unchanging standards.
Some may respond to this message believing they are not worshipping idols like in the biblical account of The Dagon God, but idolatry can be a matter of the heart. Even if you don’t bow physically before a statue, your god may be pride, greed, over-indulgence or anything that interferes with an intimate relationship with the true and living God.
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, [am] the LORD your God…” (Exodus 20: 3-5). To whom or what are you bowing your head to today? I encourage you to allow the grace of God to give you the strength to conquer all things that separate you from Him. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
“For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)
Larry Buford is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” (Steuben Pub) www.amazon.com. E-mail: [email protected] Visit the author at www.larrybuford.com. (213) 220-8101
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