It's True. I Don't Own A Television.

I took two years but I finally did it. I got rid of my television. Why, you ask? Well for starters, it is full of filth, foul language and sexually suggestive content. Shall I continue? Yes, I know it is 2008 and everyone else on the planet has this “great invention” sitting proudly on its own special table in the centre of the family room. In my life, the television became my friend, the first thing I turned on when I couldn’t sleep and the reason I hardly ever pray. However, after self examination and the realization that my Christian life can only be enhanced by this decision, I found the strength to let it go.

When I say the television became my friend I am not kidding with you. I would come home from my daily activities and turn it on even before I put my purse down. At times I could not even remember how it got turned on. It was almost as though the television knew I was coming home and would do me the honours all by itself. My phone calls to human friends became far and few between because I had to watch my show. When I was sad I ensured my time was spent watching a comedy and when I was happy I watched a sad, romantic movie to remind myself...
There were times that I heard my pastor implore the congregation to pray when awoken in the early hours of the morning. Not me, I had my friend to watch and she would let me watch her until I fell asleep again. I know that there really isn’t anything worth watching at 2am in the morning but it kept me company and since I live alone I was allowed at least that earthly luxury. The bottom line is I fooled myself and my Christian life has suffered as a result. The television had become a pedestal in my life.

When I realized this embarrassing truth I knew something had to be done and for two years I tried to do what had to be done. The reminder here is that the race really isn’t for the swift. I made promises to my Lord and broke them; I told friends of my plans and hid the truth that my true friend still sat proudly in my living room. For two years I tried, promised and prayed. Sometimes you feel like doing the honourable thing but the Lord has a way of reminding you that everything must be done in His time. Finally He smiled down on me and helped me to rid of this thing that I have put before Him many times over.

Everyone has things in their lives that they struggle with. For some people they may never have the problems with television that I had, but they certainly may be a struggle with something else. Once you realize what it is that draws you away from the Lord you can then ask for His strength to help you do what is right. So, now that I have ample time and silence in my home I can make room for my Lord to work in my life so I can be the praying, God –fearing, Christian I have been called to be.