The World of Virtual Reality

I thought I had seen just about everything until I played in a virtual reality world. Virtual reality is a simulation of a three‐dimensional image or environment that you (Hannah and me, in this case) can interact within this seemingly real way using special electronic equipment, like helmet/goggles with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors. That's Bear in the middle of this collage laughing hysterically at his girl and me!

A friend left his virtual reality system at my children’s home. It was the opportune time for my grandson, his girl friend and me to play with it! First, Bear, with the system, virtually outlined the field of play that kept us from running into furniture or walls. Hannah was up first. She put on the goggles, held the hand grips and whoa-la, she was moving about the room that Bear had outlined. It was funny watching her make her way getting through whatever I could only imagine.

Then it was my turn. First, I held the hand grips and saw that I was in a Star Wars setting. That's me oohing and awwing at the sci-fi room I was in. I could see that my hand grips were electronic gloves and before I knew it, I was exclaiming “Oh, I’ve got a lightsaber! Oh, did you see that?” (Of course, they didn’t. I was the only one in this world.) I heard them laughing at me like I was laughing at Hannah. THEN, Bear changed the scene, and in this world, I was on the floor but in virtual reality, I had boarded a kayak and used paddles to make my way through glaciers in Antarctica. I saw penguins everywhere, a whale and other fish jumping beside me. At one point, I even felt the cold of being there, but that part was my imagination – I think!

What a great experience to see what virtual reality is and what it promises to be in the future. We’ve come a long way, Baby! Just look at the real “reality” of online church, teleconferencing, and so many other computer-generated opportunities for us to carry on life during this pandemic. Technology is quickly changing the world that we live in and the way that we do most things. I hear that Virtual Reality technology just might be the new way of attending church and doing business in the future.

It’s “Twilight Zone” reality to me, but so was internet technology forty years ago. I understand that businesses and churches might not need physical space and will even opt into virtual office and worship experiences. Businesses and churches will literally be without walls. You won’t need to drive anywhere. Just plug the family in, download your Sunday outfit, and materialize in worship. I’m wondering if I’ll still be alive to see it. Sure makes me wonder what is in the mind of God because He surely isn’t surprised by any of this.

Here’s what will never, ever change. Regardless of technology and split-second visuals of each other, our goal should and will forever be all about loving God and loving each other. We will still be called to care for the poor, and the sick and help those in need. We will still be charged with living intentional lives that give praise and glory to God in what we do, say and how we live. Particularly, with all of our new technology and creative abilities, we’ll, more than likely, need to practice humility and love and service even more – because THAT reality is what it means to faithfully follow Jesus.

So, maybe we should be practicing Jesus’ example of servitude in the reality of caring more about others than we do ourselves. Seriously, I believe we are in training for what God is coming up with on His Holy radar. I suspect He’s preparing us to see and appreciate the awe, beauty and splendor of how He is ever right here with us, never changing, in our vastly changing world.

Hospitality at its Finest

Have you ever been a guest at someone’s home and they made you feel like you were royalty? Right away, they offer you a drink and the most comfortable chair. They serve a meal fit for a king or queen and to top it off they bring you into the conversation – wanting to hear about you and your interests. You have their undivided attention. That is hospitality.

Jesus' hospitality was par excellence. He turned water into wine at a wedding. He fed the 5,000 and the 4,000. He cooked up a breakfast of fish for the disciples. A menial job for servants, He washed His disciple's feet. Once again, I pray: "Make me more like You, Jesus, even when it comes to being hospitable!"

What if we lived in a “hospitality” mindset? Not just having people over to our homes – but when we step out of our homes into a world where people are made to feel they are wanted and appreciated. What does that look like? Putting our phones away and giving them our undivided attention, being attentive when we’re speaking to someone (in that moment, that person, not a text message, an email, or a phone call is what is important), using words like “How are you today?” And, I get this one from my granddaughter who works at Chick-Fil-A, saying “It’s my pleasure / I am happy to”.

Christ is always in our midst, and we may be unaware that the stranger sitting next to us in church or the young woman needing assistance with her arms that are so full with her baby and diaper bag, is our opportunity to be Christ’s hands extended in hospitality.

We are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world, and this world needs His hospitality. I remember a message I heard at church. Our pastor was speaking about hospitality in a Spanish church. He talked about Jesus being in their midst. He asked, "Will the real Jesus, please stand up!" To his shock, a man in the middle of the congregation stood up. What the pastor had forgotten, parents in the Spanish culture will oftentimes name their baby boys "Jesus". It was humorous but it's a question we hear Him asking us today: "Will the real Jesus please stand up?" The real Jesus is found in you and me as we reach out and touch others with His love, servitude, and hospitality.

1 Peter 4:8-9 "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

How About a Slice of Humble Pie?

When I saw this program at the Advent by Candlelight event last Monday, I noticed, right away, the word "HUMBLE" above my name.  Actually, it was the title of a song that was sung before I spoke, but I thought "God are you trying to tell me something?"

Just a few minutes later, I felt my knit skirt....and there was a hole in the side (I'm thinking a moth's work of art).  I asked my friend to go with me to the ladies room so we could see if the hole would show while I was on stage.  Thankfully, I had a longer top on, so it didn't.   When I got to the stage to speak, I told the ladies that I was going to take a "selfie" of me with them in the background, but when I saw "HUMBLE" above my name....I figured God was whispering "Gotta' work on the humility, Girl Friend!"  LOL!  Yes, they laughed.

The next day, I looked at the photos taken that night.....and if God needed to speak the word "HUMBLE" to me again, I saw that I had on a navy blue skirt instead of the black one that I planned to wear.   (Maybe they loved my humor and heart so much, they didn't notice.)  OH ME and LOL!

So, I'm getting the message, and I think I'm eating some "Humble Pie", because I never want what I do, and why I do it, to bring praise to myself, but to THE ONE who deserves ALL PRAISE.  Seriously, when I think about how unlikely that I would be so blessed to be so passionate and relentless about spreading the GOOD NEWS, I MUST raise my hand and point to THE ONE Who is worthy of ALL PRAISE!

I know that when I purposely live in an attitude of humility, it will be HIS Light shining through me, and NOT my own.  And, oh, that's what I want.  I don't ever want to get in His way.   St. Peter put it so well....."All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).

The simple discovery of humility and servitude is where some of my greatest joys have been found. Applause isn't the reward.  The reward is being able to serve, and seeing others have "aha" moments when they see HIM instead of me.  It's HIS LIGHT I want them to see in me.  

Okay, I've confessed, and now I've finished my "Humble Pie".  I think I'll avoid that dessert from now on, and I'll keep my eyes and heart open, in case it looks like God needs to offer me another slice!
#HumblePie #RewardInServing #HumbleYourselves