Monday, February 21, 2011
American writer and futurist AlvinToffler offers a perspective on the rapid escalation that humans have experienced, with his concept of “eight-hundred lifetimes.” In the introduction to his book Future Shock, written in 1970, Toffler writes that he coined the term future shock “to describe the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time. In order to create a human timeline, he divided the past 50,000 years into lifetimes of about 62 years each making about 800 lifetimes. Toffler observes the first 650 lifetimes were spent living in caves. Writing has only been available in the past 70 lifetimes, and the wide-scale use of printing has only been a part of the last 6 lifetimes. We have only been able to accurately measure time for the last four, and the electric motor has only been in existence for 2 lifetimes.
The overwhelming majority of material goods and technological advances that shape our daily lives have only been in existence during the last lifetime. We are experiencing an exponential curve caused by the compounding effects of “advancements.”
Toffler asserts that rapid change results in an inescapable level of physiological stress. He says that in order to cope with the effects of escalation that surrounds us we must create our own “islands of stability” that offer feelings of security. The islands will serve as our safe harbors and anchors for the inevitable storms of life.
Who are the people who serve as your safe harbors? Is there someone who anchors you when you go through unchartered or rough waters?
Are you the “island of stability” for someone? Has God called you to be the strong and steady hand to a loved one who is overwhelmed by changes?
No matter how grounded we are in our faith, we all need an “island of stability.”
As Christians, we have a safe harbor like no other. We have the steady, guiding hand of our Savior. We serve an unchangeable God. He is the ultimate “island of stability.”
The overwhelming majority of material goods and technological advances that shape our daily lives have only been in existence during the last lifetime. We are experiencing an exponential curve caused by the compounding effects of “advancements.”
Toffler asserts that rapid change results in an inescapable level of physiological stress. He says that in order to cope with the effects of escalation that surrounds us we must create our own “islands of stability” that offer feelings of security. The islands will serve as our safe harbors and anchors for the inevitable storms of life.
Who are the people who serve as your safe harbors? Is there someone who anchors you when you go through unchartered or rough waters?
Are you the “island of stability” for someone? Has God called you to be the strong and steady hand to a loved one who is overwhelmed by changes?
No matter how grounded we are in our faith, we all need an “island of stability.”
As Christians, we have a safe harbor like no other. We have the steady, guiding hand of our Savior. We serve an unchangeable God. He is the ultimate “island of stability.”
“I, the Lord, do not change” (Malachi 3:6).
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“God is not a man. He doesn’t change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29).
Let this be our prayer:
Dear God, I realize there are many things in my life that are beyond my control. I sometimes have trouble adapting to the rapid escalation in the world at large and in my world. I need your security in my life, Jesus. I want you to be my “island of stability.” I want to start focusing on the things that will never change. Thank you that you will never stop loving me. Thank you for your unchanging word. Thank you for making me for a purpose. I want to get to know you better and your plan for my life. I ask you to be very real in my life. Live in me and walk beside me through the victories and the valleys of life. Amen
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“God is not a man. He doesn’t change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29).
Let this be our prayer:
Dear God, I realize there are many things in my life that are beyond my control. I sometimes have trouble adapting to the rapid escalation in the world at large and in my world. I need your security in my life, Jesus. I want you to be my “island of stability.” I want to start focusing on the things that will never change. Thank you that you will never stop loving me. Thank you for your unchanging word. Thank you for making me for a purpose. I want to get to know you better and your plan for my life. I ask you to be very real in my life. Live in me and walk beside me through the victories and the valleys of life. Amen
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