The World's A Stage

In a study done in the first half of 2025, the average screen time per day for someone 18 years and older is 8.5 hours. That’s nearly 60 hours per week. More than one third of our week on average is spent in front of screens. Now the fact of that alone is neither good nor bad. It’s how we use that time that makes a difference. The 21st century is filled with one advancement after another in technology. In many ways, technology has been a gift to move us forward as a society. And in the hands of every person, it’s a tool at our disposal that could be used to further the gospel and spread the message of Jesus Christ.

When the apostle Paul found himself in Athens, surrounded by idols and Greek philosophers, he used Greek poetry to reach people for the kingdom. He used the resources available to him for the benefit of the kingdom. How we use the tools matter. How could we better use the 8.5 hours per day in front of screens to make a difference in this world? The Apostle Peter wrote it this way: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).

Now Peter wasn’t speaking of screens and technology, but the application still applies. The gifts we have, the tools at our disposal and the time that we have available to us can be used to help reach the world and to move the mission of Jesus Christ further. Because of the age we live in, our reach has gone further than any other time in history. Our ability to study and learn about Scripture is within the palm of our hands. We can watch, read, and deepen our own faith easier today than could have ever done 20 or 40 years ago.

We often say that our words matter. What we say and how we say has an impact on someone else. That is also true with what we post, write, and share online. We are visible on the world’s stage now. We are the players in the production of life for everyone to see. Peter calls us to speak as if it were the very words of God. To serve with all the strength that God provides. Choose what you do with your 8.5 hours carefully so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.