I will not set before my eyes
Psalm 101:3a
anything that is worthless.
What am I setting before my eyes? The eyes feed the mind and the mind feeds the heart. In today’s world, there are so many things that draw our attention and time. Social media and tv are the two that come to mind first. While they are not “worthless” in and of themselves and can serve a purpose – we must be mindful of how we use them.
TRANSPARENCY ALERT:
I am guilty of wasting too much time on social media. Mindlessly scrolling through posts, pictures, and videos and dribbling away too much time. Watching tv shows that ultimately serve no purpose other than allowing my mind to “check out”. To what end?
The Westminster Confession asks:
Q. What is the chief end (main purpose) of man?
A. To glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Westminster Shorter Confession, Question #1
I was recently strongly convicted about my social media and tv habits. I spend my evenings during the week on my own since my husband is gone during the week. My mind runs on high-speed processing all day long – and sometimes I just want to get it to shut off. So, I drift into mindless scrolling or watching tv. But if my chief end in life is to glorify God and enjoy him forever – how do I do this if I am wasting my time and brain cells on things that ultimately don’t have much to do with him? How am I being transformed by the renewal of my mind (Romans 12:2)? How am I to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) if I am allowing my brain to go on autopilot while it takes in things that are ultimately of no worth to my sanctification? If am to glorify God in all that I do (1 Corinthians 10:31), how does that happen when I am not active in the process?
I am not telling anyone to remove social media from their phones or to put their tv in the basement with a sheet over it as I have done. I had to do that to re-align my heart to Him. I don’t want to waste the moments that He has given me on seeking the comfort of this world so that I may not have to think so hard at the end of the day. I want to pour myself out to the very last drop every day doing what he has called me to do. That even means the menial daily tasks of life – everything is an opportunity to walk in obedience and to glorify and enjoy Him.
He sent his Son to save me. He made me a new creation. He has granted me eternal life in his Son and has given me the Holy Spirit to sanctify me and conform me to the image of Christ. This is the greatest gift I could receive. Why would I spend my time on worthless pursuits when I have been given so much grace?
Sola Deo Gloria!
Leave a Reply