2011 New Year's Resolution, Part 2

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Okay, so if you're still in the market for an idea or two in 2011, perhaps you might like to try one of my suggestions. My proposed resolutions are not generic thoughts for anyone. They are for people of faith. Here's my second installment in this series.

Idea #2 -- Give up One Thing for the Kingdom


Most of us have habits, hobbies and interests that consume large amounts of our time, money and energy. We all need ways of relaxing, burning off steam and channeling our passions. If all we did was eat, work and sleep, I think we would have a miserable existence.

When do our interests consume too much of our time? How can we know if we have crossed the line from hobby into obsession? Can our habits actually inhibit our dedication to the Kingdom of God?
I'm not trying to suggest that your life is out of whack. No one thing or one person is in my sights. I'm just wondering what would happen if we briefly cut out something in order to make room for something Kingdom oriented.
Here's an idea. Try living without one of your hobbies or passions for 30 days. Let's say that you love playing video games. See what would happen if you dedicate a 30-day, video-game-free period to the Lord. Or maybe a smart phone is your greatest friend. Try using your phone for nothing more than calls and texts for 30 days. What about shopping ... perhaps you love to shop. Try to buy nothing but groceries and essential HBA items for 30 days. Nothing else. Make do with what you have and don't be sucked in by sales.

But here's the catch. Don't just eliminate something for 30 days. Replace it with something that is oriented on the Kingdom of God. Let's say that you spend on average 5 hours per week on video games. For that 30-day period, try volunteering 5 hours per week at some charitable organization. Or if you are going to live without accessing the internet via your phone, try keeping a Bible nearby and reading at least one chapter every time you have the urge to look something up. If you're sacrificing shopping, try setting a goal of some crazy amount of money that you want to donate to your church at the end of that period. By not spending over that 30-day period, see if God provides enough to meet your goal.

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33).

Comments

journeyer said…
Makes me remember one of my most favorite-ist scriptures.... “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26 Fill up that cleaned out house with God and there isn't room for distractions. Dawn
January 6, 2011 at 7:31 PM
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