My son-in-law bought a virtual reality gaming system. After playing on it a few times, I found the experience exhilarating. I became lost in a world of sights and sounds as I surveyed the scenes as they appeared before me. As a result, I reached out to touch items that were not there. Also, I turned to look all around me as I gazed at the visions that only existed on a screen in the living room. However, the situation felt disorienting as I tried to lean on a table that was not real or when the cord wrapped around my feet, and I stumbled.
Benefits
I believe the world of virtual reality (VR) holds many upsides. For example, VR offers the freedom to explore the world for a housebound person. For instance, they could travel to faraway lands and experience the sights and sounds of exotic spots through these systems without leaving home. Additionally, someone might fly to the top of Mt. Everest from the comfort of their home without spending a dime. And they do so without the worry of frostbite. Or, some could travel to the deepest recesses of space or the ocean’s depths and still find time to make dinner for the family. The possibilities appear endless.
Limits
Virtual reality also has its limits. The VR world only uses two of our five senses; sight and hearing. Because we miss out on using our sense of smell, touch, and taste, these experiences feel empty. When I played with the system, I saw, but I could not touch anything, so my mind conceded the encounter was not real. The activity left me with a feeling of incompleteness.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Virtual Reality Faith
As Christians, do we pass through this life as if we are in a virtual reality world? For instance, we see the people around us, but we do not experience life with them. Or, we notice and hear their pain and suffering, but we do not reach out to touch them. And, do we try to lean on our own understanding, then stumble without Christ. Indeed, the troubles of this world wrap around our feet and trip us up. If we let it, this world seems disorienting to our walk with Christ.
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.”
Romans 1:25
Finally
Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that our faith is an actual reality, not a virtual one. We find assurance in things unseen. Many around us only view Christ as imaginary while never perceiving the truth of Him or His existence. Furthermore, Romans 1:25 explains that many have exchanged God’s reality to worship things that are not real. Indeed, we are called to share the real truth of Christ with them. Also, we need to share the truth of Christ to those lost in a virtual world of brokenness. VR may be useful for entertainment purposes, but it is not an acceptable method for reaching others in our Christian walk. Real-life requires us to feel and touch in addition to hearing and seeing. Therefore, we must help others to experience Christ in a real-life way.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank you for the many blessings Your hand provides. Thank you for technology that entertains as well as many other uses. Help me remember that life is more than a virtual world and that You are more than just a virtual God. Show me how to share the real You with others. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
Blessings,
Yvonne M. Morgan, author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.
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I pray I don’t miss a moment of God’s love and presence. Instead of focusing on me, I want to focus on Him.
Amen to that Melissa. I want my focus on Christ always. Thanks and God bless
Yvonne, I found this post very interesting. I don’t know much at all about virtual reality games. I’ve even been skeptical and never had the desire to experience one. But you did offer some positives which I’d never considered – allowing home bound people the opportunity to experience more than their 4 walls. Thank you also for pointing out that a life serving the Lord is real and not virtual.
Thanks so much June. If you get the chance, you should try it. It was fun. God bless
Technology offers so many options today, but like June, I’ve never had the desire to play with VR.
Then again, with all that’s going on in our world, our culture is feeling more and more like VR!
Yes it is Ava. Things do feel very unreal at times these days. I appreciate you commenting. Thanks and God bless
I remember a discussion in a college class about how we sometimes consider things we see on television as more real that what is around us. I like your proposal of VR as beneficial for those who are housebound. Sometimes we don’t see the upside for the downside. But the downside should be a caution to the rest of us. Great post, Yvonne. God bless!
Thanks Nancy. Like so many things, they can have good uses as well as bad ones. As long as we stay connected to God, we will know the right way. God bless.
Absolutely spot on, Yvonne. I don’t want to float through life or not truly experience what it means to be human and all-in. But as I walk through life I keep one eye on eternity.
Amen. The best way to go through life. Thanks Jessica and God bless
This is a powerful analogy, Yvonne. The VR scenario is not real, and though our lives are indeed real, we can walk through our lives without touching and experiencing life to the full, life in service to others, life walking side by side with Christ Jesus, our Creator and Sustainer. What a fake life that would be! What all we would be missing! Great post!
Thanks Melinda. I think many walk through life today in this kind of fake world. It saddens me to it. I pray we can each shine God’s light to show the way. God bless.
Virtual reality glasses kind of freak me out. I, too, see that there’s sure to be benefits, but knowing the sinful nature of people, the abuses of such technology will also be the downside of it. So, more reasons to pray! 🙏🏻
Yes, we do have so many more reasons to prayers these days. If only more people would pray, we might see a change in our society. Thanks Lisa and God bless
So good, Yvonne. So thankful our faith is real and not a virtual experience!
Me too. Ours is a living and active faith. Thanks Karen and God bless
Such an interesting analogy. I have never played virtual games. I like how you connect it to our virtual faith. Jesus is so real and many miss him. It is, as you say, our responsibility to help others experience him in tangible ways. Great insight!
Thanks Marcie. I appreciate your thoughts on my blog. God bless
In the world, not of it…. Thanks for the heads up that we need to be among those who need Jesus- the lost, the lonely, the hurting.
Exactly. Thanks Candice and God bless
This is a wonderful point of view i think it will helps me a lot. Happy to read such an appropriate concept.
Thanks so much. God bless
A great piece that sheds much needed light on Virtual reality. Awesome Post!
Thank you very much. God bless