Going Viral
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president
The words going viral have become a thing in our culture today.
Several weeks ago, the viral trend was the outrage expressed at Cracker Barrel for daring to change their logo. Next week, something else will go viral. It could be a cute picture of a child getting their first bicycle. It could be a tragic image of a bomb going off. It could be anything that catches the attention of those mindlessly scrolling through their phones on the social media platform of their choice.
The average person in the United States spends over five hours on their phone each day. Most of that time is spent scrolling, looking for something that will cause a smile, spark a moment of outrage, or reveal the latest thing that is going viral.
No matter what is being talked about at the moment, it rarely makes an impact — either positively or negatively — on a person and the way they live their life. They may even talk to their friends about it, yet little, if anything, is taken to heart or becomes life-changing. It is just a fleeting viral moment.
Ezekiel was told by God some rather sobering words:
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
God was telling the prophet that people may come and hear him, even say, “Good sermon, preacher,” but they do not take anything to heart. They are just scrolling through their religious experience. Outwardly they may agree, but inwardly they remain the same.
Maybe it is time to stop scrolling in our religious experiences and instead pause and let the Word of God transform the way we live.
Maybe it is time to stop looking for the latest thing in the religious world and just cling to the tried and true, transforming gospel of Jesus Christ. When that becomes our focus, it changes who we are and how we live. We are no longer swayed by the viral trends of the day—even in the religious world. Instead, we are built on the sure foundation of Jesus.
Maybe stop scrolling this week. Bury yourself in the Bible and let God’s love wash over you.