by Jerry Senn
“Today, we are exposed to an estimated 1,500 commercial messages per day. There are over 10,000 magazines published in America, complementing the 6,000 radio stations and 400 television stations. Your mailbox is stuffed with mail from people and companies you never heard of, but who seem to know quite a bit about your spending habits and interests. In fact, last year (this is way out of date) there were more than 100 different catalogs per household printed in the U.S. The average home received more that 1,500 pieces of unsolicited mail during the year.
“We have become the most over-stimulated society in history” (George Barna).
This research was very reliable 15 years ago, but could be expanded many fold today. We could add the amount of time spent scrolling the internet and be aware of time and content on TV.
Shouldn’t we be careful about time and interest given to things of the world and turn to God’s word and to prayer more often?
Paul wrote:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4, RSV).