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Doing Nothing

In many ways, it’s true that there’s nothing new under the sun!

Take the Athenians, for example, and their goings on about two thousand years ago. The Bible says this about them:  “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.” (Acts 17:21)

Sounds a bit like today, doesn’t it.  But, just in case you aren’t convinced, see how other translations describe what they were engaged in and see if it compares to today:

 

  • spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new;

 

  • spent their spare time talking or hearing about the latest intellectual fads;

 

  • looked for opportunities to tell or hear something new and unusual;

 

  • always used their time talking about all the newest ideas;

 

  • spent their time simply and solely in telling and hearing the latest novelty.

 

Is it okay to gather with others and spend time talking?  Of course!  However, you might want to add that it would be good if the conversations are productive and edifying.

But, what if we are spending all of our time, or at least too much of our time, just telling or hearing about something new?  Then the answer is a likely not!  In fact, the Scriptures provide this for clarity:

 

  • “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”  (Eph 5:15-16)

 

And then there’s the issue of what you talk about.  Is it okay to talk about new ideas or to hear about new things?  Yes, for the most part!

But, if these new things are just fads and novelties and we invest lots of time and attention to them, then maybe not!  The Scriptures also provide clarity on that:

 

  • Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jer 6:16)

 

If you combine these two mandates from the Word of God, we need to be careful how we use our time.  And how we use our time, that is, what we focus on, should have less to do with the latest greatest fads and more to do with the tried and true paths which are intrinsically bound up in God and His Word.  In those, we find what’s good for the soul.

 

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