The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Digital Detox (04/24/14)
God cracks me up sometimes; other times I am sure, I leave Him shaking His head chuckling saying, "Yep, I created her." I love how He confirms His directives, sporadically through the oddest means.

Many of us occasionally go through life on autopilot, not unreservedly listening to God's leading rather going along with the crowd. I am increasingly learning how perceived "little things" can deafen us to His still quiet voice.

Recently, a friend and I were discussing movies, music, and other forms of entertainment. I shared periodically I felt convicted to discard certain media. Following God's prompting, I discarded just enough to make it look as if I was obeying His wishes. However in all honesty, I kept a backdoor, so to speak, to access old entertainment habits.

Three very noteworthy points developed from our discussion. One, if I watch or listen to something I would not invite Jesus to experience with me, then bluntly speaking I am making an idol of my entertainment. Two, I behave as a "luke warm" Christian by picking and choosing which God-given directives to follow. Three, I always left just enough behind to remain on the edge of being fully submissive (my backdoor).

You may ask "what is a backdoor?" As a former addictions counselor, I taught those whom I served about their backdoors. For instance, a person detoxifies from all substances but continues hanging out with his/her dealer. This leaves easy access to relapse. That is a backdoor.

Being a proud rocker from the 1980's, I love my glam-rock and heavy metal. When I listen to the old favorites, my blood begins to "dance." I become rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. My personality even slightly changes; I live in the past before Christ began making changes in me. I know some readers know exactly what I mean. I discarded Ozzy and KISS but kept Joan Jett and Lita Ford. I limited the enemy's conduits but had not surrendered fully to the Lord nor had I entirely disconnected from Satan's schemes.

Thursday evening, I committed to clean house of all movies, games, and music that does not glorifying God. With each swoosh of the trash bags claiming the discarded items, I embraced an amazing sense of power and relief. When the rubbish resound in the dumpster, I walked away feeling whole, cleansed and healthy.

I chortled and shook my head with a grin when I saw this week's challenge topic, "Digital Detox." What a creative way for Him to confirm His word to me! How exciting to be walking in His desired path! The other times I partially obeyed, I honestly had to detoxify from the music. I found myself thinking about it, talking about it and habitually looking for a specific CD. This time because I committed to worship God and not entertainment, I experience total peace of letting go of the past, of time consuming activities, and of the unholy blood dance of heathen rhythms.

The morals of my story include complete obedience, trusting God, idolatry, and the need to recognize tidbits we cling to in order to return to the "old ways." I challenge each of us to go in prayer and thanksgiving to God to discern areas we need to thoroughly clean house, then to open ourselves to the confirmations He provides. Be prepared to giggle, because I know He has caught me off guard a time or two. Have fun!
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 543 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
05/02/14
An amazingly honest and delightful account. Your candor was refreshing, while bringing home an all too important message. Fabulous work! Thank you for sharing this testimony with us.

And, God bless~
Toni Babcock 
05/04/14
This is a great testimony piece. It would make a terrific free reprint on Faithwriters to reach other folks in need of detoxifying. Just a couple grammatical errors here and there which I am sure you will catch with careful re-reading.
Lollie Hofer 
05/05/14
Excellent article which I can totally relate to on several points. My only suggestion is it's best if you don't mention the challenges in your stories. The challenge stories have the potential of being printed in books where the readership is beyond that of FaithWriters and the readers wouldn't understand the reference.
Larry Whittington
05/05/14
I like how you confirmed in your final paragraph what you stated was true in your first paragraph.

This is a "from the heart" story that many of us should take to heart. Many/most of us pick and choose "how to obey God" in some way or other. Is this because we rely on "Grace" too much?

You could use this as a "personal testimony" of how God works in mysterious ways to help us become more the way he wants us to be.

Good attitudes towards God produces good results in all we do that pleases him.