When was the last time you replaced a light bulb? I’m guessing that this household chore is not foreign to any of us who love to enjoy our well-illuminated homes. Is it just me, or do those bulbs seem to go dim at the most inappropriate times? In my experience, it’s best to buy your bulbs in bulk; four in a pack, just in case. This way, you won’t ever be left in the dark for too long.
The light bulb is one of the first examples of a manufacturing strategy called Planned Obsolescence. Planned Obsolescence essentially means that almost everything a consumer purchases today has a set amount of hours of quality usage before it has to be replaced.
Unfortunately, the light bulb is not the only tragedy of this profiteering strategy. This also extends to larger investments like building materials for our homes, our cars, most small and large appliances, consumer electronics including computers and phones, and of course clothing.
Everything today is 'built for the dump!’ These goods have been engineered with enough shelf life to get us hooked and satisfied long enough to be convinced of their usefulness, and then it demands to be upgraded or replaced.
Non-tangible upgrades
This is not only true of our beloved tangible items but also for the non-tangible things in our life. Take a moment to think about it. What have you upgraded in your life recently?
● Relationships
● Job
● Education/Skills
● Interests
See what I mean? As we continue along our journey in life, there will always be a 'need' for an upgrade or a transition to a better fit, improved benefits or just a refreshing of what currently exists. This change is not always initiated by our healthy need to grow, but more often by the world’s influence which causes us to quickly become ungrateful, disinterested and greedy for a never-ending cycle of better and/or more.
The final version
However, thankfully in our walk with Christ, there is a constant. You see, ‘He who has the Son has everything!’ There is no Planned Obsolescence with Christ. He is absolutely more than enough and the final version of salvation.
Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8 teaches us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Yes, saints we can count on His reliability, longevity and delivery. His Word and His promises are as true as the day He first uttered them. They remain unchanged today, thousands of years later, as we continue to read them. Trust Him, believe in Him and turn to Him!
The hem of His garment will never lose its power to heal, as it did for the woman with the issue of blood, in Luke chapter 8 verses 40-48.
His stripes were made to heal for generations to come. Just take a look at that prophecy in Isaiah chapter 53, verse 5.
Calling on His name saves until eternity as promised in the book of Romans chapter 10, verses 12 - 13.
2nd Corinthians chapter 12 verses 9 – 10, tells us that, His grace will always be sufficient!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
So, the next time that you're tossing and turning on that mattress that seems to have become uncomfortable a little too quickly for your budget, or you are tasked with changing yet another dimming light bulb, remember the words of that old hymn...
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Pun intended. :)