I gave up television for lent last year because I wanted to build a closer connection with God. Since I spent upwards of 4 hours a night watching television and very little time in prayer, someone else’s voice was in my ear.   More importantly, my desires were being dictated by people who had nothing to do with my beliefs.

Television and Discontent

After I put my kids to bed at 7:00 I would race to turn on TMZ {yes, I’m hiding my face}, Entertainment Tonight, The Hills, The City {I’m hiding even more}, The Hills After-Show, and The Bachelor.  I became an expert in the lives of people I would never meet.  Even though my life was in sharp contrast to theirs, I was attracted to their well-groomed appearance and their pretty, shiny things. The kind of television I watched didn’t change lives or inspire people.  It just made me hungrier for the things I would probably never have.  The more television I watched, the more I felt a sense of longing and dissatisfaction with my home and possessions.

“The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. Mark 4:19 (The Message)

Television and the Message it Gives

When I gave up television for lent in 2009, something changed.  One evening my husband turned on the television while I was in the kitchen.  I remember hearing a voice and wondered aloud, “who is that weird sounding person?”  Their tone  reeked of insincerity.  Everything about the voice seemed to be screaming: you are not living until you know this, or have that or unless you want to look just like her. It was then that I realized that by giving up television, my ears–and I–were no longer susceptible to these messages.   My want for pretty, shiny things was replaced with meaningful time spent with people; and most importantly I had made room for God to speak to me.

Contentment with Life

This year I gave up television for lent again.  I felt that God also wanted me to give up television for the rest of the year.  More and more my 7:00 race is met with reflection and quiet.  I still have wants but instead of a voice screaming for more, I have a heart that yearns for contentment.

The path of right-living people is level. The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.
We’re in no hurry, God. We’re content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions.
Who you are and what you’ve done are all we’ll ever want. Isaiah 26:8 (The Message)

Why don’t you give up television for the summer?  In the fall, reflect on the changes that you experienced and be sure to let me know how it goes!

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