By Ann Weaver.
The modern world is amazing. Have you ever thought about just how wonderful it is? Compared to two hundred years ago, the conveniences we have these days are astonishing. Dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers are only a few of the inventions that have come to fruition since the 1800’s. Not only do we have these gadgets, but each one has a multitude of varieties that would stagger anyone from even a hundred years ago. It is truly astonishing!
Besides these everyday inventions most of us have, some of us have even more than that. Robotic vacuums, phones, and artificial intelligence, anyone?
In the practical sense, modern conveniences are extremely convenient. They save us innumerable amounts of time, energy, and effort. We sit around while our clothes wash and dry. We play games while our dishes are washed. We sleep while our floor is being cleaned. How could life be any better than that?
However, there are disadvantages to every advantage. These drawbacks are not always the kind we would think of, such as the amount of space a certain item takes up or the loud noise of a machine. Instead, many of the downsides to these amenities stem from the heart.
1: Discontentment.
Though our very existence is nearly effortless, we still constantly complain. We grumble that we have to get out of our seats to walk upstairs and place the wet clothes in the dryer. That we have to walk across the grocery store for something we forgot. About the dress that takes longer to dry than anything else in the laundry, or the traffic light that takes too long.
Be honest. How often are you thankful for these advantages? When were you last glad that you don’t have to hang your family’s entire load of laundry outdoors? Or that you have a grocery store filled with plenty of food nearby? When were you last thankful that you have such a pretty dress, or traffic lights in your town that prevent car accidents from occurring?
2: Laziness.
During the amount of time people would have been scrubbing clothes over a hot fire or riding in a horse and buggy, we have free time. Yes, our responsibilities are different than they would be without these conveniences. But we still save a huge amount of time and energy by not performing the tasks these advantages give us. Despite this, we grumble if we have to perform a task that a device typically executes for us. Why? Because we have become too lazy to do those things.
How can we cure this? By remaining productive and industrious! And remember: though you don’t have to wash dishes because you have a dishwasher, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Sure, you may lose time that you may have wanted to do something else in. But instead of thinking of it as using up free time to do manual work, consider that you were using your saved manual work time for free time.
3: Lack of Exercise.
Since we don’t have to perform so many active tasks, many of us end up with a lack of exercise. Long ago, we would have carried water from the well or walked to school. This natural exercise was just part of daily life back then. Once things like running water and cars came around, a lot of movement was no longer needed.
Much of our lives, in fact, involve sitting in one place. Whether at school, work, or while using an electronic device, we are typically sitting down. Most conveniences, too, can be used while still sitting in a chair. Though this is handy, it’s not so good for our physical bodies. Lack of exercise can lead to people becoming overweight or more prone to getting sick.
Need to improve your exercise? Get your family together for a time to stretch, take a walk, or watch a video and exercise with someone else. You don’t have to do a lot, but making sure your body is in shape is one way to take care of your body as a temple of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
4: Boredom/Time Wasting.
Boredom and time-wasting lead to trouble. Both cause people to find ways to amuse themselves, which can lead to all sorts of silly, unwise, or even immoral pasttimes. Even if our entertainment is harmless, we end up wasting our time by staring at a screen or in some other way.
When you’re feeling bored, change your mindset. Think of your time as being an advantage given to you by a certain convenience, just like you would for laziness. Perhaps you can do something productive with the time you could be washing dishes or vacuuming the floor. After all, you’ve received extra time! :D
What do I think of these conveniences? Despite the way I’ve put them down, these advantages are not bad. I am not advocating that we don’t use them. However, I am advocating prudence. I am advocating that we look out for these negative traits to curb them.
Next time we want to complain about folding laundry, let's stop and be glad that we didn’t have to spend three hours scrubbing it over a hot stove. (In fact, I’m about to do some laundry after I finish writing this. Funny how that worked out.) When we find ourselves waiting for the dishwasher to end, we can exercise or stretch instead of watching a YouTube video. When we find ourselves bored while waiting for the robotic vacuum to finish mopping the kitchen, we can read or do something productive.
This week, let’s pay attention to the way we relate to these great gadgets. Are we grumbling about them or are we grateful for them? Are we being lazy, or are we using our time to be productive? Let’s turn our negative behavior around and be grateful for these amazing modern conveniences!
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