Dear COA family,
Are you open to changing your mind or accepting a different perspective, especially on
something that is important?
I hope that you are willing to, especially if you find out that your original viewpoint is wrong.
A few weeks ago, I shared a devotion at St Andrew’s Junor School and spoke to all of the
boys about the dangers of excessive use of computers or handphones.
I said that, based on the latest research, all children below 12 years of age should be limited
to no more than an hour of recreational screen time per day. Regular and persistent
excessive exposure can lead to poor eyesight, bad posture, feelings of inadequacy, addiction
and anger management issues in youths. It can also take time away from other healthy
activities such as interaction with friends and exercise.
I then suggested that instead of waiting for their parents or other adult figures to restrict
their use of their devices, they could exercise some self-control on their part and tell these
adults that for 2025, they would voluntarily stop playing on their computers after one hour
each day.
After listening to my talk, some of the boys said among themselves, “What a silly devotion!”
They were unwilling to change their minds even though what I said was beneficial and good
for them. This is because they have already decided on what is right and best for themselves
– which is to be able to watch videos or play computer games as much as they wish.
Could we be guilty of the same stubbornness and wrong thinking?
Beloved, it is dangerous to think that we are always correct and that others are wrong. None
of us is perfect. Sometimes it is to our own detriment if we hold on stubbornly to our wrong
beliefs and refuse to accept good advice. It is not that we should compromise on our beliefs
easily, but we should acknowledge that we are not always right and can be corrected.
The book of Proverbs tells us:
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise”
(Proverbs 19:20).
In the new year ahead, may we purpose to be open and humble in heart to be
willing to change our mind and to accept the Spirit’s correction through God’s word and the
advice of others – so that we may grow in wisdom and maturity of faith.
God bless,
Revd Ian