Trend or Classic: What do you Believe?

It is spring and time to look around for the latest trend in fashion for our wardrobe.  Like most women, I want to stay abreast of the latest trend in fashion.  However, there have been times over the years, that I went for the latest trend, and it proved not to be suited  for me, even though it was in style.  For example, when I was a teenager in the 60’s, the mini skirt hit the fashion market.  While Andre Courreges gets the credit for inventing the mini skirt,  it was Mary Quant who started producing short mini dresses and skirts that were set 6-7 inches above the knee.  Women could now expose as much of her legs as her body shape permitted.  I loved the mini skirt, but, unfortunately, I was endowed with wide hips and round legs.  I quickly came to the conclusion that the mini skirt definitely didn’t serve me well.  It was then that I made the decision to just stick with the classics.

I believe that is the way it is in our spiritual life.  We are faced with trends in the church world that may or may not serve us well.  I am particularly referring to the onslaught of modern technology that is booming in the church.  Do these sound familiar?

Live Stream

Ipad

Websites/Blogging

Facebook/Twitter/Texting

All of these have allowed the gospel to be spread in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  I must confess that being part of the ‘older generation’, I sometimes have to sit back and ask myself the question, “How is that working for me”?  Must I throw myself into this trend, or stick to my old ways of communicating to receive spiritual enlightenment?

The Bible says you can’t put new wine into old wineskins.  That scripture has always been my philosophy when making changes in my life. So, as the world and culture is constantly changing around me, I want to always be open to putting new wine in this old wineskin.  Therefore, I have concluded for my own self that I will become a part of this church trend, and go with it. 

However, I want to make sure that there are some classics in my spiritual closet that must remain as I venture into this trend.  To name a few of those classics:

1. Forsake not the assembling of yourself together -- As long as I am able to walk into the doors of a church building, Live Stream won’t ever take the place of my assembling together with other believers, shaking their hands, looking them in the face, and giving them a hug on Sunday morning.  And may I also add:  “May I never allow Live Stream to keep me from brushing my teeth, getting out of my PJS, and getting dressed for church when I have an able body to get me there.
2. The Family Bible -- I just have to believe that it  is valuable for my grandchildren to see Nana reading from an open Bible when they visit me, and not some mechanical devise I hold in my hands.  There is something about flipping the pages of that sacred book, and pointing out to my grandchildren pictures of David, Jonah, and yes, Our Lord, that will make a lasting impression on them.
3. Websites/Blogging -- One of the highlights of my life has been the privilege of blogging on Created Woman.  I have always loved to write, and I never imagined that I would been given an opportunity to pour my heart out to people all over the globe. However, may I never forget the elderly who do not have internet service or those in the nursing homes who would enjoy a written card to brighten their day.
4. Facebook, Twitter, Texting -- Oh, how I do love Facebook and texting!  They have, not only afforded me the opportunity to connect with friends and family, but has given me the opportunity to quote a scripture or type a special thought to brighten my friends’ day on the spur of the moment.  But, may I never forget that what they may need for me to do sometimes is to meet with them face to face and give them the time to pour out their heart to me.  No devise can take the place of a human voice, a listening ear, and a soft touch made by human hands.

I could go on and on with a long list of spiritual classics that I am trying to keep in my spiritual closet in the midst of the current trend of modern day technology.  It is up to each individual as to what trend or classic they believe best suited for their own spiritual closet?

Trend or Classic: What do you believe ?