He didn't condemn these things in and of themselves. And neither would I, per se. I understand all too well the longing to disengage my brain after a long day or few days at work. It's totally understandable to just need a break occasionally and to venture off into the world of "other." However, if you do this more often than not, and especially if you are a Christian, eventually you find yourself feeling an emptiness you just can't seem to put your finger on.
As we repeatedly peer into the lives of others (whether real--emails, blogs, Facebook, etc--or make believe--tv, internet games, etc), we are left with a subtle void and find ourselves feel provoked to jealousy, envy, sadness, depression, hopelessness, or pain at seeing the party pictures, travels, relationship stories, 'mountiantop' experiences, possesions, accomplishments or promotions of others.
Why, if we are left feeling these strongly negative emotions towards people we hardly (or don't) keep in touch with...things which scripture encourages us and URGES us (in Galations 5, Colossians 3, 2Timothy 2-3 to name a few places...) to set aside, do we really believe this is "relaxation" or escape, or by any means profitable for eternity?????????????
There are so many ways our time could be better spent.
Lately, the Lord has been reminding me over and over again something I learned a few years ago. It started with a Beth Moore bible study that encouraged us to start praying scripture. Novel? Why, actually, yes! To me, it was. But when you stop and think about it even for a second, it seems so logical...so, well, like...'duh.'
I love what she says in her book, Praying God's Word Day by Day, though. What is the best way to know you are praying God's will for your life, your loved ones, and your situations? How do you fight strongholds and gain self-control over struggles? How do you find joy in the midst of loneliness, sadness, death? By praying the very words of scripture. Praying God's words back to Him! And how do we know what to pray? Well, we have to actually READ and UNDERSTAND God's Words. I love her quote, "Beloved, you will never waste time in God's Word."
I've starting applying this in my prayer life over the course of this year through some very high and very low situations. It is so comforting to KNOW that you are praying according to God's will and purpose, and with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-25)! It's been challenging to spend time actually understanding scripture so as to pray it over areas in my life. It takes time.
Time I sometimes waste in front of my computer.
I want to encourage you to walk away from your computer at the end of a long day. Curl up on the couch or in your bed with the #1 Bestseller of all time, The Holy Bible. I pray that you would see for yourself how your life can be "filled up to all the fullness of God" as you are "strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you being rooted and grounded in love may comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge," because He is able "to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in all the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."!
(Ephesians 3:14-21)
