Planned Obsolescence

Did you know that Thomas Edison’s original light bulbs still illuminate a hundred years after they were made? It’s true. So, what is wrong with today’s light bulbs? Nothing except it is not profitable for modern-day manufacturers to produce century lasting light bulbs. When manufacturers realized this a century ago, they initiated “planned obsolescence” by creating bulbs with a short lifespan to keep you coming back for more.

But this strategy is not just used in light bulbs. How often have you been in someone’s garage or basement and seen one of those old fridges still working? And there are many other examples where a product will break down because companies make their products with parts which they know are going to fail in the products they know you will buy again. Contrived durability is the most common way that companies implement planned obsolescence.

There is also a twist that is referred to as “Perceived Obsolescence”. This is a clever marketing strategy designed to create the feeling that you need to “upgrade” or purchase the latest product because of new features or bells and whistles that you seemingly can’t live without. The fear of missing out is strong, and companies know it. Few examples reflect this more than the annual release of new cell phones, computers, and tablets. Clothing, automobiles, and even college textbooks rely on this to help create demand and desire.

Companies exist to make money and there is nothing wrong with that. It is part of what makes our economy strong. You may even enjoy the reality of it all, and there is nothing wrong with that. The point is that many of today’s products are not designed to last, on purpose.

But when it comes to the Kingdom of God and the Word of God, there is no planned obsolescence. These never change, never need an upgrade, and last forever. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” And Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:31, “…For the present form of this world is passing away.” And Isaiah wrote, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
(Isaiah 40:8).

When it comes to building your life, build it on the eternal, unfading, unfailing truth of God. What God said thousands of years ago is just as relevant today as it was then. God’s moral truth does not need an update, God’s wisdom does not need to be adjusted for the times, God’s principles for living do not need to be refreshed to accommodate the age, and God’s Word does not need to be amended to facilitate the modern world.  

Christmas Season is now in motion… Be sure to stay up on all the many Christmas activities that are scheduled like… Children’s Christmas Musical on the 8th @ 5pm; Adult Christmas Musical on the 15th @ 3 & 5pm; and The Voices of Mobile on the 22nd @ 5pm. And then of course our annual Christmas Eve service at 6pm.

Reach the World Offering… if you haven’t given to help us bless our mission partners there is still plenty of time remaining. I hope you’ll join us in this annual effort to advance the gospel locally, nationally, and internationally. And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

Merry CHRISTmas,

Pastor Ray


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