When I was a kid there were only five television stations: ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and the local station, KPHO. Those were our choices. If I didn't like the shows playing on any of the stations, I turned off the television and went outside to play. From about noon to three it seemed that the only shows on television were soap operas... which I hated. If I wanted to watch television in the early afternoon I had to watch either PBS or the local feed. I could choose between Sesame Street and Gilligan's Island. Most days I was outside playing!
Somewhere between now and then, the number of choices has increased. Dramatically. I don't even know how many channels we have. I have COX cable and I think it goes up to channel 198. Some of the channels don't work. But I am sure there are at least 100 shows available at any one time.
But wait, there's more! If you pay extra money you can have extra movie and sports programs. I bet there are at least one hundred of those available.
But wait, there's more! If you subscribe to “COX On Demand" you can watch from a list of certain movies and programs on the “On Demand" Channels. I think there are at least one hundred shows available at any one time.
But wait, there's more! Netflix has developed an internet-based movie subscription service. As I understand it, there are now about 20,000 movie choices available to watch instantly. That's crazy. If you watched two movies a day for a year, it would take almost 30 years to watch every movie.
But wait, there's more! Netflix says that it wants to get its entire library available to watch instantly. I believe that's about 500,000 titles. At two movies a day it's ... well, it's more time than I have. (700 years).
I am beginning to think we should scrap the whole thing and go back to playing outside!
Fortunately when it comes to God, there is only one choice. “Hear O Israel the LORD our God the LORD is One" (Deut 6:4). And that One God is enough to satisfy every need and desire that we have.
Blessings,
Pastor David Hook
