Before the internet came along we would find answers to our questions through someone wise we trusted. It may have been our parents, grandparents, teacher, neighbour or someone we thought was wise.
They would tell us something and we would firmly believe it. There was little to contradict them and their word was taken for granted.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from my father.
At the young age of 23 I found myself managing a team of 20.
My father said to me, ‘If you can keep seventy-five percent of your staff happy seventy-five percent of the time you are doing well.’
This taught me not to try and please everybody. I realised there would always be people who did not agree with my ideas. If I tried to please everybody I would end up with chaos and no one would be happy.
These wise words stuck with me and five years later I found myself successfully managing a team of 48.
Dad was always there in other areas of my life too.
When I needed a loan.
When I needed help with house repairs or landscaping.
When I needed a babysitter while taking an overseas holiday.
He was someone I could always rely upon.
Today the word of mouth is one of the last things we rely upon.
Even the written word is seen as second rate compared to what is available online.
A rich source of information?
The internet is perceived as a rich source of information. Often it is our first point of reference. Thanks to Google it is easy to find answers to any question.
However, there are now so many competing voices on the internet that it is difficult to discern what is the most accurate answer.
Search engine algorithm’s will even give you the answer you want, to validate your point of world view.
This can lead to entrenched views, confusion and information overload.
And certainly is a field day for scepticism.
To counter this some media organisation’s now take pride in their ‘fact checking’ of information.
But even this ‘fact checking’ is subject to question, because it can be manipulated to favour one side of view.
To add to the confusion, foreign governments are now being implicated in plots to influence peoples opinion by spreading false information.
Today, more than ever, it is difficult to determine what is accurate.
What are the facts?
What is the unbiased truth?
We are reaching a moment in time where everything we read or hear is open to question.
One book rock solid
While this turmoil is spreading around us there is one source of information that remains rock solid.
It has been in print for hundreds of years yet still remains as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
It even contains a warning that we are not to manipulate or change its text.
Revelation 22:19
And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
Every time you read the Bible you can gain a new perspective. It speaks to you about a situation in your life today and it speaks to you about a situation in your life tomorrow.
It’s a book that is ageless, timeless, prophetic and life giving.
Not only can we trust the authenticity of the Bible but it is alive and active and a huge source of comfort in a world in desperate need of hope.
Hebrews: 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Wayne worked in the media for more than 30 years before leaving to follow a call to set up The Daily Encourager, a values based media showcasing the best of New Zealand society. He has a passion for Jesus, enjoys walking, ball sports, the arts and song writing.