Modern life is full of distractions. From social media to television (or streaming services), to video games and more, most our everyday lives in 2021 are inundated with attention-grabbing and time-wasting stuff. While these may be among the most prominent distractions we face in our highly technological and entertainment-obsessed culture, other distractions remain that are far more endemic to our modern lives that can keep us from enjoying, appreciating and even worshipping our surroundings.

God has made a beautiful world. And like an artist with a blank canvas, He has filled this world with a vast array of diverse, colorful and awe-inspiring wonders. He tells us in Genesis 1 and 2 about how, in His perfect wisdom and goodness, He undertook and carried out this beautiful plan of creation, bringing forth oceans, seas, land, sky, mountains, valleys and all of the living creatures that inhabit them. But the best part of this beautiful world is what we are told at the end of the creation narrative: that God made this world and all of its beauty for us.

God entrusted Adam and Eve with the privilege and responsibility of enjoying this creation, not only functionally, by cultivating the earth and being sustained through its produce, but also aesthetically, by enjoying the sheer beauty of creation as the gift that it is, and the reminder of God’s love for us.

If the world around us and all of its natural beauty is a reflection of God’s beauty, power and goodness, and was given to us specifically to enjoy and cultivate as one of the central tasks of image-bearers of God, how well are we doing? As Christians in our modern, everyday lives, how well are we appreciating nature and its beauty? How often are we looking at the blue sky of day or the starlit sky of night and pondering the greatness of our God? As the leaves are changing and beginning to fall, are we stopping to consider, like the writer of Ecclesiastes, that for everything there is a season and a time? Do we allow the diversity of creation to remind us that we serve a Triune God? When hiking through a forest teeming with life, do we remember that our God is the source of all things and is a God of life?

Earlier we mentioned that modern life has more distractions than just social media and entertainment. In our hyper-developed and urbanized society, many of us live and/or work in cities and suburban areas. And while living in these developed settings is not morally wrong or sinful in the least, it can prove to be yet another distraction of which we should be mindful as Christians. When our surroundings are dominated, day-in and day-out, by buildings, streets, signs and stoplights, we can easily forget the simple yet beautiful reminder we have of God’s goodness and His greatness: nature.

If we aren’t careful, we can become victims of our surroundings and miss out on God’s creation and all the many ways it can teach us, encourage us and revitalize us. We weren’t meant to be totally isolated from creation and the benefits with which this incredible gift provides us. We were meant to enjoy it and allow it to grow in us an awe and wonder at the beauty of our God, like a man who witnesses a remarkable work of art and considers the greatness of its maker.

If our surroundings can teach us, encourage us, or distract us, how are we as Christians going to make sure we don’t neglect God’s creation and ensure that we are appreciating and being encouraged by nature? There are countless ways to incorporate this practice into our lives. But what if you don’t like hiking? Or what if you want to travel the world and see more of God’s creation, but don’t have the budget to go on expensive trips?

While it’s true that there are many of us who have real obstacles to many of these options, if you’re serious about setting aside more time to be in nature, then you can certainly find practical ways to make it happen. If you don’t love hiking, try something less strenuous like a walk in the park. If your weekdays are too busy to do nature activities, try camping on the weekend. Or, even if you don’t want to go anywhere at all, go outside on a clear night, look at the stars and praise God as Creator and Designer of the universe.

There are many ways to avoid becoming too distracted by our urban surroundings. And just taking time to pause and contemplate the beauty of a hummingbird, or the greatness of an oak tree, or the color of autumn is half the battle.

However, if you are someone who has always wanted to travel and explore God’s creation outside of your immediate surroundings, then you should consider visiting one or more of the many National Parks in this beautiful country. You could take a trip to Niagara Falls, Yellowstone, or the Great Smoky Mountains without having to spend weeks of your time or thousands of dollars to experience it. Moreover, if this is something you’re interested in, Faith Driven Consumer™ (FDC),  would love to help you accomplish it. Through our FDC Marketplace we are currently offering our Marketplace Members multiple ways to save money on trips to U.S. National Parks. Just click here and check it out if you’re interested!

Psalm 19 (ESV) says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” So, whether you’re going to Yellowstone, Niagara, the local park or simply your backyard, make a point to consider the wonder and beauty of God’s creation. Be intentional about being in nature. Allow it to encourage you, awe you, and inspire you. Let it point you back to your Creator and stir you to praise and worship Him for His glory revealed in creation.

This week, we are excited to introduce the first ever “Psalm of the Month.” The Faith Driven ConsumerÔ blog will now feature one chapter in Psalms (or, one psalm) each month for us to consider together and ask how we might be encouraged, challenged or enriched through our study of it. We hope you will join us once a month as we explore the incredible Book of Psalms and grow in our faith together.

The first Psalm we have selected is Psalm 27. This Psalm was written by King David who experienced many triumphs and many tribulations. Ultimately, it was David’s faith in God that allowed him to persevere through numerous frightening and dangerous trials. Let’s read together the words of David… 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

³ Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.

⁴ One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.

⁵ For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
⁸ You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
⁹     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
¹⁰ For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
¹² Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.

¹³ I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!”

Many of us can resonate with words of King David in this psalm. There is no shortage of difficulty that this world throws at us, and we don’t have to look long or far to find the enemy prowling all around us. There are snares and traps all along our path as we consistently find ourselves in perilous circumstances, powerless to conquer or avoid them. But as followers of Christ, we can sing this psalm of David or take these words to heart as we remember that God is our stronghold and our defender. We can take courage because God is our shelter. Even if every evildoer comes against us or means us harm, or if every friend or family member forsakes us, God will never leave us or forsake us.

God demonstrated His trustworthiness, but also His power over sin, death and the evil one, when He defeated death on the cross and conquered the grave. And this same God who triumphed over all has promised us that He will see us through to the end if we only trust in Him and rely on His saving sacrifice on the cross. May we, together with King David, praise God as the stronghold of our lives. May we also have the faith and steadfastness to say to ourselves and to the world, “Whom shall I fear?”

Here at Faith Driven Consumer™ (FDC), we are invested in providing our Community and Marketplace members a consistent stream of new content on a weekly basis. We want FDC to be a place where conscientious and active Christian consumers regularly visit to become informed and equipped to be individuals who make an impact in their communities and culture. For this reason, we add new content to our website, update our databases, and provide you with the latest deals, all on a weekly basis. But if you are just visiting the website on occasion, or simply tuning in to read the blogs when they arrive each Tuesday (which we greatly appreciate), then you might be missing out on the various new content continuously being added to our Faith Equality Index (FEI), the website, social media platforms and more, along with the potential savings available through the FDC Marketplace.

If you are interested in staying up to date with a steady stream of offerings and content from FDC, we encourage you to sign up as a Community Member or Marketplace Member to start receiving our weekly Faith Driven Consumer Newsletter. With either membership, you’ll gain access to everything you need to know about the latest at FDC.

If you signed up, you will receive the FDC Newsletter via email every Tuesday with links and descriptions to various new content. First, we give you preview of the latest blog and the issues or questions it considers. Then, we will reveal  the latest additions to the FEI and find out which brands have been scored and how they stack up with their competitors. The Newsletter also includes a section we call the Podcast Spotlight. Here you will find specific podcasts that either the FDC Team has produced, like the Christians You Should Know podcast, or other podcasts that the team has found helpful, enriching or encouraging. It’s also a great way to discover new Christian podcasts that can deepen, bolster and grow your faith. Lastly, every Newsletter includes the latest deals on the FDC Marketplace. Here, you will find the steepest savings and discounts at top hotels and restaurants, and find ways to save on everyday purchases (things you would do anyway!) with your favorite brands.

If you’re not sold yet, then we’ve got one more reason for you to sign up… Faith Driven Consumer is just getting started. We’ve got big things on the horizon and have much more in store for our members in the future. As we grow and further build a community, we will continue to expand and offer exciting new opportunities that will benefit you. As a result, your involvement with this burgeoning community of Christian consumers accelerates our mission to make an impact in the marketplace, workplace and culture. If you want to be a part of this community and are excited about what’s in store for the future of FDC, the best place to start is by signing up here. You can join for free as a Community Member, join for free through a 7-day trial, or join for $5 per month or $25 per year as a Marketplace Member. You’ll then begin receiving our weekly Newsletter and have the opportunity to closely follow and benefit from the exciting new places we are headed together. We look forward to having you as a part of FDC!

We recognize that it’s a bit of a cliché to say that “time is flying by,” but if you’re like me, you may find yourself shocked that we have already entered the month of October. The sun is going down earlier, and the leaves are beginning to change. And although I am ready for cooler temperatures and the beautiful colors of the fall season, it seems that, in a sense, time has gotten away, and I find myself wondering where the year has gone. But the starkness of the change in seasons, and the many different things that accompany this transition, led us to consider the book of Ecclesiastes and the incredible wisdom it contains.

This week we are going to look at what may be a familiar passage from Ecclesiastes. This selection is one that considers the beautiful way in which God–in His wisdom, sovereignty and providence–guides us through different moments in our walk with Him. These moments we go through in life, which play out like scenes from a movie in which we are the main character, are characterized by all kinds of emotions and experiences that we encounter.

We’ve all gone through these times and could give countless examples of periods in our lives where we have experienced incredible joy, intense suffering, patient (or if you’re like me, impatient) waiting, loneliness, confusion, doubt or any of the countless other issues that can dominate our spiritual and emotional lives.

The writer of Ecclesiastes understands this uniquely human experience, as most certainly does the God who created all of humanity and took on human flesh Himself, which inspired this biblical writer. And if you read the entire book of Ecclesiastes, you will find it surprisingly, if not shockingly, honest. It’s a book that is not afraid to examine the human life and the human experience in a raw and transparent fashion. In the third chapter of this fascinating book, we find a passage that considers this specific feature of all our lives.

Let’s look at this passage together before we briefly consider a handful of conclusions about the text and how we can apply it to our lives as we enter into a new season…

[1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

[2] a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

[3] a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

[4] a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

[5] a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

[6] a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

[7] a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

[8] a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)

As we see the leaves begin to change colors and fall to the ground, and as darkness arrives sooner in the evening and the cooler temperatures make us reach for our favorite sweatshirt, let us remember that God is the one who orders our lives. He is the one that the causes the sun to rise in the morning and set in the evening. He sets the planets in motion so that the earth can be nourished and sustained through the cycle of the seasons. He is in control and has given everything a time and a purpose.

But if you’re reading this and find yourself going through a difficult time that is defined by experiences and emotions far more serious than a change in weather or seasons… and if the leaves falling is the least of your concerns as you find yourself in the trenches of spiritual warfare, or relational strife, financial burden or physical suffering, remember the words of Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season, and a time…” Be encouraged that this difficult time is but one fleeting vignette in the greater story of God’s grand plan of redemption and restoration.

The nature of this life, and the brokenness that accompanies living it, is such that we will experience wild swings where rivers of joy and blessings can quickly dry up and give way to deserts of loneliness and suffering. And the writer of Ecclesiastes is brutally honest about this being an inevitable facet of the human experience, and one that we can’t just ignore or avoid because we are Christians. But just two verses later, he delivers this beautifully hopeful reminder: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Eccl. 3:11)

We can’t always know God’s reasoning for allowing us to go through difficult times. It’s often unclear how the suffering and the many trials and tribulations we encounter are for our good and for God’s glory, as the Apostle Paul says in the book of Romans. But what we can know is that we have a good God who has prescribed a proper time and place for all things and has set eternity in our hearts. And we can trust, with assurance, that one day the distant memories of the hardships we face in this life will turn to rejoicing at the revelation of the heavenly purposes God was bringing about through the struggles that we couldn’t make sense of at the time. And as we reflect on the kind of moment in which we find ourselves right now, whether it be good, bad or somewhere in between, let us draw from the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. As creatures with “eternity [in our] hearts,” let us also place eternity over our eyes as we seek to have a heavenly perspective. Then we will have the strength and wisdom to remain steadfast, content and hopeful as we encounter the many seasons life has in store for us all.