November 24: CONSUMPTION
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2
Today’s world offers more forms of entertainment than ever before in the history of man. Ironically, depression and anxiety are at an all-time high, and the ages of the depressed and anxious keep getting younger and younger. Suicide rates are climbing. Could it be that most of the entertainment we consume is, in reality, only one distraction after another cunningly designed to lead our minds away from the God of the universe?
God is calmly working to draw us toward Himself. His uplifting, enduring, eternal truths are food for our souls. Simultaneously, the enemy works feverishly to fill our time, our minds, our bodies with things designed to weaken them and destroy personal relationships with the Savior. For those who don’t know Christ, the enemy is out to intercept opportunities of getting to know Him at all. Therefore, the adversary is threatened by any who have a close and loving relationship with God. Much of this world’s entertainment throws the door wide open for your archenemy to enter in and wreak havoc.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Psalm 119:37
Another irony is in play. In our day, the Word of God is more accessible than in any previous generation. Yet, Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high. Could there be a connection between depression and Biblical ignorance? The evidence is mounting…
Study after study, in religious and secular arenas, shows that screen time for children is negatively impacting cognitive, physical, and social development. Other studies zero in on emotional and spiritual development, and the negative impact shows up there as well. Included in the discoveries are direct links to sleep disturbances, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Though anxiety is mentioned last, it is often the first warning sign to surface. More children are suffering from anxiety and full-blown panic attacks than ever before.
What we allow into our bodies and minds, has an impact: for good or for evil. Weakened bodies and dulled minds are desensitized to discern the difference between a deep, abiding relationship with God and a shallow, nominal relationship. It is incumbent upon adults to guard the innocence of children, but in our broken world, this is not happening in the vast majority of home settings. Is it any wonder that so many children are overwhelmed with sadness or a sense of purposelessness? What is to be done? Begin decisively by giving Jesus permission to come into your own life and take control. He awaits your invitation! Commit to feed sumptuously upon the Bread of Life and share it generously with others.
This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. John 6:50,51a