M.Scott Peck, in The Road Less Traveled, decibed that little-traveled road as intentionally delaying gratification. One who delays gratification sacrifices present comfort for future gain. Intentional gratification delay leads to acceptance of responsibility and dedication to truth. When I read Peck's book years ago I was easily reminded of Jesus' call to "deny yourself." To succeed at most things worth succeeding at requires self-denial.
If Peck found few travelers on this road in 1977, today he would find the road largely unused, at least by our young people. See Stanford U. psychologist Philip Zombardo's "'The Demise of Guys': How video games and porn are ruining a generation." We have a generation of young men whose successful future looks very bleak, since they are firmly on the road of instant and constant gratification. Zimbardo writes:
"Young men -- who play video games and use porn the most -- are being digitally rewired in a totally new way that demands constant stimulation. And those delicate, developing brains are being catered to by video games and porn-on-demand, with a click of the mouse, in endless variety.
Such new brains are also totally out of sync in traditional school classes, which are analog, static and interactively passive. Academics are based on applying past lessons to future problems, on planning, on delaying gratifications, on work coming before play and on long-term goal-setting."
Every teacher knows what Zimbardo is talking about. The slow-cooker of critical thinking and wisdom accumulating has for some time now been replaced by the microwave. We are, believes Zimbardo, well situated in a psychological (and I'll add spiritual, emotional, and relational) crisis. Look at kids around you, and behold the Arousal Addicts.
"We are in a national, and perhaps global, Guy Disaster Mode that needs to be noticed and solutions advanced to fix a totally novel phenomenon, which will only increase in intensity and breadth without the concerted efforts of educators, gamemakers, parents, guys and gals."
For my little part, I'm trying to introduce Jesus-followers to the slow-cooking, teriyaki-sauce-marinating God-relationship found in real prayer. It's time to act.
"It's time to press play and get started reversing these trends."
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Want to spend two months in the spiritual slow-cooker with me? See This Summer - Join Me for Two Months of Spiritual Transformation, Prayer, & Fasting.
