When I moved to Indiana from Pennsylvania, I got rid of my TV. It was old-fashioned and was not going to meet those transition requirements that will take place next month. Besides, I spent a lot of time watching TV. In fact, too much time. So, thinking that a disciple should be disciplined (makes sense, right?), I decided it was time to forego the TV set for a while.
Man oh man am I having a hard time with being TV-less. There have been days in this past month that I have walked around in circles wondering what I could turn on. The computer? The radio? The cell phone? I've missed Letterman, and I'm wondering how I'm going to keep up with American Idol. Not until it was no longer there did I realize how obsessed I was with the TV.
One thing I've turned on since moving has been worship music. As I mentioned in my profile, I enjoy worship music. I especially enjoy the music of Mark Altrogge, who writes powerful worship songs. Perhaps you have heard of I Stand In Awe of You and I'm Forever Grateful. Both Mark Altrogge songs. Today I was listening to one of Mark's songs about following God: One Pure and Holy Passion. One of the lines in this song asks "Give me one magnificent obsession." All of a sudden, it clicked. What a better obsession than for Jesus to be my one pure and holy passion? Not the TV, the cell phone, or even the GPS. These are all ordinary obsessions. Only Jesus is a magnificent obession.
Thank you Lord for this lesson and thank you Mark Altrogge for such a wonderful song.
Links:
Mark Altrogge: www.sovereigngracemusic.org/artists/mark_altrogge, http://www.forevergratefulmusic.com/
One Pure and Holy Passion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I17edLkBDCo
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I myself have been TV-less (or rather television channel-less) for about 2 years now. I did have an Xbox 360 video game console that I recently shed at the prompting of the Lord as well. I began to recognize how much entertainment can be a place to hide from todays problems. Situation got you down at work? Customers angry with you? Friend / spousal issues? It's so easy to drown out those feelings and stressors with TV or other forms of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteWhat I quickly discovered after shedding the Xbox was how much time I actually have - and having no place to bury my head in the sand - I actually have to go to the Lord with the issues I am facing. Not to mention I've got more time now to study the word.
I wonder how many people could deepen their relationship with God if they removed some distractions from their life.