The Sabbath for Mediaholics

Sabbath afternoon visiting Grandma

During the seventh day of the week, the earth manages to keep revolving right along on its axis without me.

It’s a blow to my pride, perhaps, but surely that’s the point. The point is the temptation to keep revolving the smart phone 24/7, in an unsmart way.

They are millions of mediaholics worshiping their Note5 and iPhones6, but very few using the  iRest7 software. 

The constant connection, constant pull, constant noise, constant interaction of this always-online world is crushing my inner peace.

So, once a week I need to shut it down and shut it out. It’s a way of fasting, going without so I can re-focus on God. I have the time then to be still and rest in His presence. I may miss out on a crisis or two of the same blah-blah-blah with bu-hu-hu Facebook drama. But the world goes on. At least His world.

I’m reminded that: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-4)

He may have been talking to Israel about golden calves and carved idols, but I know this means electronic gods, too. Somebody said: 

One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that our lack of prayer was not from lack of time. (John Piper) 

Social media 24/7 became the acceptable addiction of our modern society. Slavery 101101101... 

This world is noisy and information-heavy. How would we even know if God is speaking to us? We’re far too busy and surrounded by noise to notice.

Watching TV or reading secular newspapers and magazine during His time is a no-no since I became a Christian. But my smartphone still pushing me into the temptation of believing that I cannot survive without it. So… after the Sabbath morning worship and fellowship lunch, I am going out walking around city parks and along trails. Unplugged. Letting the world keep going without my clicks.  

My plea to you - be more purposeful about a medialessness Sabbath rest and intentionally fill this space-time continuum with Him. Lingering in His Word, enjoying His creation, resting with family, reading spiritual books, visiting the ill, the discouraged and those afflicted by their FB Joneses. 

Unplugged from the noise and plugged into the essentials, into what really matters. And then stride down the Main Street of my town. Join the ranks of mediaholics who choose to unplug themselves during the 7th day. 

His day.

(Heather King adapt.)

Thou Shalt Read Your Bible

Reading the Bible without a good plan and a right spur can become unexciting. Our eyes are on the page but our minds are wandering back and forth… That black book without pictures just isn’t quite so exciting as the black or white iDevice that can show us anything in the world in just a click… Here are some ideas for re-ignite the Bible reading.
1. Schedule. If our Bible reading is not fixed for a particular time each day, and we’re just hoping a time slot appears, we’ll end up squeezing it into too small a space. Best to pick a time and get into a habit of reading each day at that time. If you are already in a good habit of reading at the same time each day, and your reading has become boring, the worst thing you can do is give up your routine and only “read as the Spirit moves.”
2. Sleep. No, not during your reading, but before it. Many times boredom sets in because we’re shattered with exhaustion and we just don’t have the energy to read in an interactive and profitable way. Get yourself a good seven to eight hours of sleep each night and you’ll find that a much brighter mind will produce much brighter reading.
3. No cell phone. If you check your phone before you check your Bible, the Bible is going to lose. The Internet and social media are crack cocaine for the brain. The Bible requires careful cutting, chewing and digesting. The former is quick thrills; the latter is a slow roast. Check your Bible first and it won’t feel such a let-down to your brain. And put your phone away as you read; even if it’s not pinging and buzzing, the brain sees it and is expecting it, causing further distraction.
4. Read a different version. Sometimes we’ve become too familiar with the words we’ve read many, many times. Why not read a different version alongside your favorite one, to jog your mind out of its normal ruts and make you see words and sentences in a fresh light.
5. Personalize the reading. Look for Jesus on every page of your Bible. And also project yourself in these awesome Bible stories. You are Noah, Joseph, Esther, Moses, Daniel, or (God forbids!) Pharaoh, King Saul, Judah, the seven-heads beast…
6. Use a study Bible. I don’t advocate this as something to use all the time, because it’s important that we learn to think for ourselves when we read the Bible and not just have others think for us. Also, people can spend more time reading the notes than the Bible itself. But, now and again, for a few weeks at a time, you could use a study Bible like the Andrews NKJV Bible to help you get excited about the Bible again.
7. Remember who is speaking. Our listening depends on who is talking and what he is talking about. Before you start, remind yourself of who is speaking—God—and what He is speaking about—your eternal salvation.
8. Pray. Confess to God that sometimes you find reading the Bible boring. Ask Him to show you if it’s because you are unconverted and you need to repent to get the spiritual sight and taste buds to make you savor and relish His Word.
9. Serve. If we’re only eating and not exercising, we’ll soon lose our appetite. But if we are serving God, seeking opportunities to bless His church, or witness to others, we exercise our souls, get hungry, see our need of strengthening and guidance, and we devour God’s Word always hungry for more.

(Adapted after David Murray)