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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