What do my archenemy, technology, and my favorite friend, fashion, have in common?  “Nothing!”,  would be my immediate answer to this question.  But then I got to thinking,  . . .  they are actually a lot alike.  Perish the thought, but it is all too true.  Both continually change.  Fashion claims this is necessary due to the changing of the seasons and the changing of the “new trends” it continually creates.  (hem lines go up and down, straight legs, bell bottoms, poofy sleeves, no sleeves, high collar, no collar, low waist, empire waist, full skirt, straight skirt, wide lapel, narrow lapel; the list is endless, ongoing and everchanging)

Technology calls its’ changes “updates”.  These updates continually outdate any and all devices such as phones, computers etc. that I might currently own and know how to operate.  I constantly receive alerts that my devices need updating or something very bad will happen.  What this “very bad thing” is, the alert does not make clear.  It is just vaguely threatening enough to cause me concern without clearly delineating what will happen if . . .  if what?  My devices are so old they can’t even be updated!  And technology continues to bully me.  (doesn’t technology know that bullying is against the law now?)

But then I realized that fashion bullies me too.  How?  My friend fashion makes me feel outdated if I’m not wearing her latest designs.  She is never satisfied with my “current look”  but always insists I need to buy more to keep up with her and those around me.  Technology does this same thing, always telling me I need to upgrade to devices that do more, so I won’t be left behind.

Both technology and fashion have me running a race I don’t want to run just to keep up with them.  They will not let me rest.  They constantly remind me that I am not current with my clothes or with my electronic devices.  Neither last longer than it takes to purchase them and get them home.

Technology and fashion are both sneaky.  They get me to compare what I have to what others have, because they know this will make me want to buy more clothes and more electronics.  They know I will want to buy what my friends already have.  They know that my culture tells me that my identity is in what I have and in how I dress.  But I do not believe their lies because I have been told the truth, God’s truth.

My identity is in who I belong to and I belong to my Heavenly Father.  I am a child of God.  God gives me what I need and God never changes (like technology and fashion do)  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  (James 1:17)

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – ”   (John 1:12)

Well, my archenemy and my favorite friend will continue to change it up on me at every possible opportunity.  But I have an unchanging advocate in Jesus.  He is my Rock, my firm foundation.  And I am thankful for that.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  (Hebrews 13:8)

“He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”  (Psalm 62:2)

sincerely,        Grace Day