Seekers

Proverbs 15:14: "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. "

I am "old school".  So old that one of my favorite literature classics is:  "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation", written by George Washington in his teens.  Rule #18 I have passed on to a lot of people.  Just ask my children, grandchildren,  former students, or Sunday School Class.  It reads: " Read no letters, Books or Papers in Company but when there is necessity for doing of it you must ask leave."  I think that rule of manners slipped through the cracks somehow in the last two hundred years!

In general,  I refer to the acceptability for all of us to carry our cell phones with us everywhere, giving each other permission to refer to it at all times!  We are quickly losing the desire for civility " in company and conversation."

This valuable (in more ways than one), little device is running the world!  We hold it dearer and more important than any other thing in life.  It is on or near us 24/7.  It controls us!

The above scripture reference tells us that if we are smart, we will "seek" knowledge. That means to go out and search.  The other phrase of that passage says " fools feed on foolishness".  Feeding implies sitting down.

I am interested in the difference between "seeking" and "feeding".  I believe that to get educated in life, we need to get out and seek.  I realize that there is infinite technological information at our disposal. It is available on what else but the "smart phone" which makes us feel like we are really being educated by it.  I beg to differ. It is education but is it the kind we need? Seeking for people and circumstances in life to color and enhance our education is really what life should be about.  Seekers are looking for teachers.  We need action and relationships to learn. That's the kind of education we need.

On the other hand,  I see this generation settling down and being "fed" by the Internet and Social Media.  We don't have to go far.  This platter of food can be handed to us while we drive,  recline on the sofa, or settle into our beds.  Our cell takes priority over anyone in our presence.  The menu often isn't pure or even healthy.  Alot of it is empty calories and useless information.  Creativity is at a low.  Obesity is at an all time high.  People are sadly lacking conversational skills.  It is hard to sit in a room and socially relate to people without the competition of an iPhone.  I am realizing that it is much easier for people to be a "friend" on Facebook or Instagram than it it is to sit or stand and have eye to eye contact with another person and do a give and take conversation.  Forming physical friendships is outdated. Healthy one on one relationships are no longer a priority. That makes me sad!

I don't know about you, but I choose to be a seeker!  Let's initiate some softball games,  roast some weiners,  have a picnic, or simply generate some old fashioned conversation!   Why not invest in reading, walking, nature and relationships?  Can't we seek for education in the things that matter and quit feeding on foolishness!

I challenge us all.. Just as fasting is good for the body,  I recommend a fast from the things we are feeding on socially.  We should do it often;  it might even generate a lifestyle change!