Power.
I figured out my word for 2016. I thought it was going to be flourish. But as I look back over the last few weeks, I see the word POWER all over the place: my journal, my Spotify playlist, my work-out diary.
This year, I want to tangibly experience Gods power in my life. And I want to see His power impacting the lives around me too:
- Power over temptations we habitually give in to.
- Power that ignites faith and rebels against fear.
- Power to live life to the fullest, instead of just getting by.
- Power to be bold, speak truth, celebrate hope, and see lives changed because of it.
- Power over insecurity.
- Over anxiety.
- Over depression.
- And other far-too-common issues that riddle our broken society.
- Power over self-absorbed tendencies that undermine God’s kingdom-minded priorities.
I am convinced that one of the greatest extinguishers of the power of God is binge-watching Netflix.
Or Hulu.
Or Video-games.
Or Facebook, Instagram, IMDB, etc. We know what we binge on. Maybe it’s food, or exercise. Perhaps its sleep.
One way or another, this excess is steadily siphoning out the power of God in and through our lives.
Shane said something the other day that I can’t get out of my mind:
“We spend a lot of time watching movies about people who don’t watch movies.” Hmm…
God has given us brilliant minds, incredible physical capabilities, and the capacity to love and share life with others. His gift of a reconciled relationship with Him begins the flow of His power the heals and energizes, grows and sanctifies, and ultimately provides a whole new life-perspective. Often, when we binge-watch, we put that power on pause. We silence the voice of the Holy Spirit to stay tuned to what happens next to Amy and Rory.
1 Corinthians has 3 things to say about this:
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 1 Corinthians 10:23
- Pray for the lost in your sphere of influence
- Listen to a sermon on podcast
- Jog off the first week of school tension
- Host a game night in your dorm and build friendships with someone new
- Call your mom (your welcome, moms)
- Clean your room
- Write a book (instead of a Facebook post)
- Read a book (before you watch the movie on Netflix)
- Get ahead on your homework.
- Reinforcer the life-givers in your world (ideas here)
- Spend time telling God about your day.
- Make a to-be list, instead of a to-do list.
- Rest…. for real. Take a nap or a bath.
- Embrace the quiet. Learn how to just be with yourself and God.
- Read your Bible.
Campfire Check-In:
What will you do with your binge-free time?What is your “word” for 2016?
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