enough

Recently, my husband upgraded our phone, Internet, and television provider to an all-in-one, fancy-schmancy package deal. At first, I thought, "Why bother - they are all the same." However, my husband insisted it was the right move to make. (He really did a lot of research on it.) To my delight, when the task was complete, I was introduced to faster Internet speeds AND the greatest device ever made for television viewing: a digital recorder box thingy. (ROFL. My hubby just corrected me - it's called a DVR.)

This wonderful device allows me to watch my 1 to 2 television shows anytime during or after their air-date as well as fast forward through all the annoying commercials and depressing news blurbs. It's better than the old VCR setup, because we can fast forward commercials while the show is still on live TV - no VHS tapes either. To be able to easily remove those unwelcomed advertising invaders from my family's life has proven to be such a calming relief for us all. I had no idea how many persuasive media messages we were unintentionally accepting on auto-pilot before this change.

Why do I bring this up? Well, it is no secret that in the United States we are monopolized almost non-stop by all varieties of advertising and promotional distractions. Thanks to modern media, our eyes and ears are desensitized by so much junk that we have come to accept it as normal. We are consistently bombarded with the same message of consumerism.... we need more... always more. More of God? (How I wish that were the case.) No, instead we are hypnotized with catchy jingles and larger-than-life advertisements that try to convince us that we aren't complete.... that life is lacking.

According to the world, the only way be fulfilled and find our true potential is to have more of the treasures of this world and to make more money. Not only that, but these messages are just about everywhere... BUY IT NEW.... BUY IT NOW.... and BUY IT NAME BRAND! Just keep looking for more, more, more. It's exhausting.

Don't get me wrong, I am not slamming advertisers in general. They too have to put bread on their table as do the businesses they represent. And we as consumers are blessed to have the convenience to be informed of what is out there. However, I do think (as in everything) a healthy balance of what we let in is very important. Remember, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as Christian women we are the hearts of our home. It is only right that we should be on guard to defend our environment with holiness as the goal for ourselves and our families.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:19-24)

Ladies, we need to be very careful to filter out worldly temptations and distractions. I'm not saying to hide under a rock - that is not realistic. We are in this world... but we are not of this world. It is crucial that we turn away from ANYTHING that takes our eyes off of Christ. Our objective on earth is to share the gospel, to love others, and most importantly to love God with all our heart, soul and mind.

In short, with Christ we are complete... renewed... fulfilled. HE is enough!

"The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee."

Blessings!

~Victoria