Hope in the MisInformation Age (Part 1)

Sometimes you read or hear something that strikes you and then doesn’t leave you. It comes to mind again and again, and it forces you to deal with it rather than just thinking it’s nice. I want to share, what was for me, one such quote. But first, some introduction.

How do you feel after reading the news, watching the news, or talking about the news? Overwhelmed? Discouraged? Infuriated? Betrayed? Do you feel as if things are politicized to the point of hurting relationships? Are you ever struck by the thought that with all the information we have, very few of us can do anything meaningful on a national or global scale? Even if the average person knows and understands all of the cultural and political dynamics of everything that’s going on in our world, what good is that? 

In an often referenced statement from 2 Chronicles 12:32, we’re encouraged to follow in the way of the sons of Issachar who “understood the times.” Understanding the times is certainly important, but that dynamic isn’t the primary thing that the sons of Issachar brought to the table. Yes, they understood the times, but in the not-so-often referenced part of the verse we find out that they had “knowledge of what Israel should do.” Their understanding came with a knowledge of what God’s people should do. That’s wisdom, and that’s something lacking in our information age … or it misinformation age?

Does our accumulation of information come with knowledge and wisdom? Does it lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships? Or does it tend to be a burden that has damaged relationships or discouraged people who should be full of hope? Does the information that we tend to gather help us be people of hope in a world in pain and confusion? Does our light stand out in the darkness?

Here’s the quote that struck me and has stayed with me. This is from New York pastor Jon Tyson:

“One of the challenges for every Christian is that of misinformation: we know everything about that which we can do little about and we know little about everything we can do everything about. Rather than aiming to influence people far and wide, perhaps we should turn our attention to the seemingly mundane around us where we can actually have impact.”

I have come to realize and appreciate that I’m a much more inspired and hopeful person when my eyes are focused on those things that the Lord has called me to, rather than focusing on those things that He hasn’t. In other words, focusing on those things that I can do everything about. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the problems in this world that I can do nothing about and to which the Lord hasn’t equipped me, even if I know everything about those things. But there’s joy and hope in relying on Him to lead me in those areas where He has called and equipped me, and He’s given us His Spirit to make us effective in those areas.

Do I understand the times? I think so. We’re living in a broken world, but it’s the world where Jesus rose from death. It’s also the world in which He is King and is making all things new! All the news headlines fall under that banner. Do I know what God’s people should then do? I think so. We walk with Jesus in such a way that we faithfully live out our calling in the world: reflecting His love, wisdom, and care into the environment and people around us. What kind of world might we live in where Jesus’ followers are all doing that? Maybe we are a force in this world after all.