Growing up I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next cool toy, gadget, clothing item, shoe, electronic device. The newer it was, the better. You weren’t cool unless you had the newest walkman, that new DVD player, or Super Nintendo! (Who wants the original NES when you can be super everything!) But look now, most garages went from storing cars to storing toys that were must haves. And boy, those must haves sure have sped up. Tapes for decades, then dvds for quite awhile, then blue ray? Did that even last a month before streaming took hold? Desktop computers for years, then laptops, then Macs. I think a new Mac version comes out every 6 hours. Might have a new one before I am done writing this. Don’t even get me started on phones. Probably everyone reading this has an old phone somewhere that you could call Zack Morris with.
Our minds are filled with the latest trends, ideas, diets. By the time you start one it’s already old or bad for you. Sometimes ideas run dry and new ones come from recycled ones re-created for this day and age. See any good movies lately? If you did, it probably came from a remake of an older movie you grew up on. But often it’s just “new idea, great, let’s move onto the next one.” I remember in the movie Armageddon. One of the lines was “I bet you just got a room full of guys just thinking stuff up. Then another room thinking of stuff to back them up.” (Its not an exact quote but you get it.)
If it’s not new, if you’re not progressing, you’re out and falling behind. Gotta keep up or need not apply. Ever apply for a job recently? It’s virtual everything. Want to apply here? Sign up for this app or this website. Talk to this virtual person. Pay for this. Oh, did we mention we are the Cookie Monster and will now be filling your email and phone with all kinds of goodies. Oh, you should pay to have your resume perfected here. No, doesn’t matter what it says, but what does it look like.
All the virtual questions include advancing into the future, progressing with the newest latest ideas, not settling with the status quo. If your not revolutionizing the world with a barrage of unthinkable and unimaginable new concepts that would make Elon Musk call you that very second to applaud your unmatched bravado (synonym for bravado is boast) (imagine the music escalating in intensity as you read that), well then you might answer yes to the question presented, “are you one that’s ok with the old ways?)” (maybe answering yes to that is not the correct approach….ooops). If your not creative, no need to apply here. Guess I am one of the few who is tired of filling the garage with the new ways.
Come across any church jobs recently? Not sure if I have either. Hard to tell if it is a job for a church or for amazon. Seems they both have the same requirements. The culture of out with the old, in with the new is all around. Why hire experience when I can hire 2 with little experience for same pay. Meet in person? Wait, lets see if you can get past my virtual assistant first, then maybe who you are might matter.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Just before that, the Hebrew writer speaks of remembering the leaders who spoke God’s Word to you. Watch their lives carefully, observe their lives, and imitate their faith. We apply this new age job market into our spiritual lives. We want the next hot concept and idea to drive our spiritual fire. Lights, rock band, smoke show, yelling pastor wearing a political shirt rallying the troops for an epic tale of……not sure…sounded like the micro machines guy (look him up if you don’t know) at 100 decibels.
Maybe slowing down sounds more like old man get off my lawn speak. But maybe, just maybe, knowledge, experience, tried and true methods can be recycled from the garage. Slowing down to listen, learn, and draw from the experience of the one who is “ok with the old ways?”
God’s Word does not change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. No need to be super charged, I think the original NES is amazing. Maybe the new way is the old way. That’s creative. Guess I’m hirable.
