When I was a child and young man, there were some verses my father quoted to me fairly consistently. He was particularly fond of the Philippians passage, but quoted “The heart is desperately wicked” enough times.
Those I did not need to memorize. They were graven into my brain by Dad. However, they follow on the theme of the last few days. We have been encouraged to distract ourselves from what is going on, to look to things of this world rather than those of God, and to trust the elite.
We should listen instead to Jeremiah and to Paul.
5 Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD.
6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse — who can understand it?
10 I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I generally do not watch the news on television my sons have had it set to them as an assignment, but I gave up watching it when I returned to working in an acute psychiatric unit. Not because I am not interested in what is happening: I am. But because I cannot turn the page. If there is a distressing story — and I have just come from listening to a family expressing their distress, anger and grief about their child’s illness — I can turn the page. I can choose what I read in the newspaper.
But on TV, it is graphic. In the hope of keeping fading ratings, the TV has locally increased the details given and the realism of their reconstructions. (We are not afflicted with politicians or pundits screaming at each other, because all the pundits agree — they would all be called “liberal” in the US).
But most of TV is not edifying. Some films are. Some sports can be. The news, instead of being reportage of the significant issues of the day is now amusement.
So I’d rather watch TED, leaving the big screen in the main room silent.