Ponder with me how much our present society focuses on entertainment. It’s mind blowing. And it’s not pretty.
Consider TV. How many cable and satellite channels exist? How many shows on those channels? How much money is spent, and how many people are employed to make the program content possible?
We could ask the same questions of the movie industry.
Then there’s the music industry. How much money goes into it? How many people are making the music we hear on the radio, Internet and satellite stations? Now consider all the music that never gets aired. What goes into that?
How about the tremendous number of books that get written? A whole new world has opened with the advent of self publishing. How many of those books are fiction–nothing more than the figment of someone’s imagination?
Then there’s sports. How many millions of people attend sports events? Look at baseball in the summer. Or how about football in the fall and winter? The industry and resources that make sports possible is nothing short of staggering.
For what purpose is all of this?
It’s entertainment. Escape from reality.
We’re confused about what reality is. But what do we know of it if we continually run from it?
As one proof of our disconnect from reality, we exalt celebrities as if they were gods. The more messed up their lives, the better. It makes for great ratings.
Consider three reasons as to why we’ve headed this direction.
- Astonishing leaps in technology have made it possible.
- Our country’s manufacturing base has been hollowed out and turned on its head. As a result, we’ve forgotten the value and meaning of work.
- We’ve lost our moral compass.
Thus, we entertain ourselves. But to what end? Are we producing anything meaningful? Is there nothing greater to live for?
I’ll grant that there are valid reasons for advocating art and entertainment. But we’ve gone far beyond reason.
The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about when he told Timothy, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God… (2 Timothy 3:1, 2, 4).
Those of us who are believers in Christ should remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:23. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Unless I sound like the proverbial wet blanket, we’re allowed to do things that don’t edify or build us up. But that doesn’t mean we should immerse ourselves in such things just because that’s what everyone else does. It’s all too easy to engage in frivolous activities to the point we no longer bear fruit.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31 Paul reminds Christians, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Meanwhile, how does this present world occupy itself? It’s fun in the sun until we die.