FOMO
I remember when FOMO became a thing. Just to say, I’m not that old, but I remember growing up before social media, high speed internet, and nothing delivered to your house except pizza.
It was a weird word, or well acronym – FOMO. You’ve definitely heard it before but to be clear it means the Fear of Missing Out. It’s the term you use when you see everyone getting together at a friend’s house, or when that band you love is in town. Sometimes it’s just being stuck at home for a family night when you could have done something else. I used to make fun FOMO a lot. I’ll admit I’m not really a social media guy. My screen time has me allowing just about an hour a day on my phone, other than phone calls and podcasts. I think FOMO is mostly just silly. It’s okay to miss out sometimes and social media does more harm than good, when we aren’t intentional with it. However, I do think there is another aspect to it that is important for us.
Don’t miss out on getting help, guidance, and encouragement from others. Particularly people who are older, wiser, and overwhelmingly kind. Proverbs 11:14 in the English Standard Version reads, “Where is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” When I read that I do have FOMO. Not in the social sense, but when it comes to being a wiser person. I fear missing out from the wisdom and care of people who have walked life longer than I have.
I’ve taken this verse to heart and I’ve decided I will get the guidance I need, and I also will hear from people who want to help me. Proverbs 11:14 gives us the idea that when we get people around us that are wiser and more knowledgeable about Jesus and life we will succeed. This is what I’ve done over the years to make sure I hear from those people. Wherever I live I have three really important people near me – a mentor, a pastor, and a friend. All of these people need to be older and wiser than me by at least a decade. This is because I don’t want to miss out on their life experience, their views on the world, and just there wisdom. So let me challenge you really quick, who can you go to for guidance that is older and wiser? Call them today and ask if they would get together with you and help you love Jesus more. I know they would love to. – Jack Hein
Journal Guide: Grab your journal and take some time to answer these questions. Journaling is a great way to connect with yourself and with what God might be trying to tell you.
1. A mentor is someone who intentionally teaches you about how to live life well as your grow up. Who in your life is either that person for you already, or who would be a good person to help you do that? Write their name down, and then thank God for them.
2. A pastor is someone who intentionally helps you love Jesus with all of your heart, soul, and strength, and gives you wisdom about how God thinks the world should work. Who is your pastor right now? Write their name down, and thank God for them.
3. A friend is someone you just like to spend time with and they like to spend time with you. In the devotional it recommends having one friend who is older and wiser than us. Do you have a family member, or youth leader who can be your older and wiser friend? Write their name down, and thank God for them.
4. If you couldn’t answer any of these questions because you aren’t sure of who could help you, ask God to give you someone who can help you get some guidance.
Conversation Guide: Ask these questions to your parents or your siblings during or after dinner.
1. Have’s anyone ever had a mentor? What was it like? If not, do you wish you did?
2. Our devotion today talked about getting guidance. Where do you go when you need guidance?
3. How can I be praying for everyone today?
Prayer: Read Proverbs 11 and quietly read this prayer to God
Dear God, I love you so much. I know a lot of times in my life I’m unsure how to love you and others well. Help me to do this, but also put people in my life to help me do this too. Thank you. Amen.