My son-in-law bought a virtual reality gaming system. After playing with it a few times, I decided it was exhilarating. It allowed me to become lost in a world of sights and sounds as I observed the scenes appearing before me in the headset. But as I reached out to touch the items, I discovered they only existed in the virtual world. I turned to look all around me and the cord wrapped around my feet, causing me to stumble. The situation also felt disorienting because I tried to lean on a table that was not real and almost fell again.
Benefits
This new world of virtual reality (VR) holds many upsides. For example, VR might offer the freedom to explore the world for a housebound person. Such a person could travel to faraway lands while experiencing the sights and sounds of exotic places without leaving home. Or someone might fly to the top of Mt. Everest from the comfort of their home without spending a dime or risking frostbite or death. Virtual reality might allow a person to 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 of Virtual Reality
Virtual reality also has its limits. The VR world only uses two of our five senses; sight and hearing. Since we miss out on using the senses of smell, touch, and taste, these experiences might leave us feeling empty. When I played some games, I saw the scenes but I could touch nothing. The encounter was not real and therefore 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 (NIV)
Virtual Reality Faith
As Christians, do we move through this life as if we are in a bubble of virtual reality faith? As we walk the path of life, do we notice the pain and suffering of those around us, but don’t reach out to touch them? Or do we try to lean on our own understanding, then stumble without Christ? Truly, the troubles of this world can wrap around our feet and trip us up if we don’t walk in true faith. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that our faith needs to be alive, not a virtual one.
“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 (NIV)
Finally
The Bible teaches us how to find assurance in things unseen. We don’t need to create idols to worship because we have experienced the truth of Christ and know that he is real. Romans 1:25 explains that many have exchanged God’s reality to worship things that are not real. We need to share the truth of Christ with those lost in a virtual world of brokenness. VR may be useful for entertainment, but it is not an acceptable method for reaching others in our Christian walk. Real-life faith requires us to feel and touch lives instead of just hearing and seeing their hurt and pain. 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 the technology that entertains us as well as many other uses. Help us remember that life is more than a virtual world and that you are more than just a virtual God. Show us how to share the real You with others. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
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.”
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A wonderful and timely analogy along with a message that will change the world if we heed it. Thanks, Yvonne!
Amen Annie. I pray many people will heed it. God bless
Yvonne, this is an interesting and timely message.
Sadly, many people live in or escape too much into a virtual world and miss out on the treasurers of real life and God’s plan. With threats of AI and more technology available, it’s a great concern.
Thanks for the message you share here. God bless you.
It’s sad that they don’t understand how they can escape to God. Thanks Connie and God bless
I worry about AI driving communities and individuals even further apart. Thought-provoking post!
I know because it just might while driving more away from faith too. Thanks Priscilla and God bless
Amen. We have His assurance. 🙂
Yes we do. Thanks Melissa and God bless.
Hi
I enjoyed your article, on virtual videos.
I sense also one could get lost in the “ unreal “ world around us, if not for your faith, believe in God, and being grounded in our faith. Keep writing, your gifted knowledge is refreshing and gives a sense of peace.
Thanks
Thank you so much Mary Kay. It is so important for us to stay grounded in our faith. God bless you.
What a strong analogy, Yvonne. God shows us so many ways to serve.
Yes he does. Thanks Jeannie. God bless you
Well done Ms. Yvonne. I’ve not yet experienced VR, beyond flight simulators, etc. for military aircraft, which was exhilarating. I knew it wasn’t real, but it gave me a “taste” of what flying the latest fighter, KC-135 tanker, or bomber aircraft was like. I could experience how the various systems worked (or were supposed to work) and that helped refine HUMINT work that needed to be done to improve pilot-aircraft integration. As you point out those, VR does not apply well to our faith. It must be something very real and tangible in our lives or it’s worth very little. Isn’t it reassuring to know that I can be transported to heaven’s presence with a very real prayer to our very real God? So appreciated this post ma’am.
What a cool experience. My husband worked for the FAA so I got to experience a flight simulator once. It is so reassuring to know a real God through our real prayers. Thanks and God bless you JD.
You’ve shared an insightful message, Yvonne, to help us better focus on what is real and what is not. I’m thankful we have the assurance of our Lord’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. We sense His presence, we read His word, we see the results of His amazing ove for us, and we hear His voice inside of us, reminding us of the right path to take.
Thank you.
The assurance of His faithfulness and trustworthiness is an amazing blessing. Thank you Katherine and God bless.
I haven’t tried these new virtual reality gadgets yet, but you helped me imagine through your experience. Powerful analogy, Yvonne. May we guard against worshiping things that are not real or eternal. God is always watching. That is real.
They are fun to play with but we must always come back to what is real and eternal. Thank you Melissa and God bless
God calls us to real fellowship. Thanks for speaking truth, Yvonne. God bless!
Thank you Nancy. It is important to have a real relationship with Christ. God bless you
So insightful and relevant to today’s times, Yvonne. I share Pricilla and Mary Kay’s concerns!
Thanks Candyce. It’s so important to stay connected to the reality found in Christ. God bless.
Convicting piece! These lines hit hard: “As we walk the path of life, do we notice the pain and suffering of those around us, but don’t reach out to touch them? Or do we try to lean on our own understanding, then stumble without Christ?” Authentic faith means coming out of our little bubble and trying our best to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Yes it takes authentic faith. Thanks Jessica. God bless.
I hadn’t thought about how VR only uses two of our senses instead of five. God wants us to know and love Him and those around us with all five senses. Thanks for sharing.
He really does want us using all our senses for Him. Thank you Joanna and God bless
You painted a visual here that shows a profound spiritual lesson. I especially appreciated your point about exchanging the truth for a lie.
Thanks so much Marilyn. May our lives be filled with truth. God bless.
Excellent analogy and great insight, Yvonne. Loved your pros and cons for virtual reality and how our faith should not only use all our senses but also trust in the unseen. God bless!
Thank you Karen. Yes, since He is unseen we know He is real and worthy of all our praise. God bless.
Great points, Yvonne! We need 100%, all-five-senses-engaged in our walk with God!
Yes we do so we can always walk in Biblical truth. Thank you Michele and God bless.
Wow you make some really lovely and thought provoking points, and I really appreciate that about you so much! God bless you and all of those that you love and care for! Would it be okay if I subscribe to your blog so I can read your upcoming articles?
Please subscribe and thanks. 🙏
Thank you so much! I always like to ask permission first before I ever subscribe to a person’s blog!
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