What Are Your Idols?
I’ve been thinking about my priorities and the need to get them re-ordered for several weeks now. During the last few days God has made it very clear to me that now is the time. I can’t put off prioritizing my time, energy and influence any longer.
What am I giving up? What is changing?
My heart is changing. It’s a God change. He remodeling my heart. He is clearing the cobwebs. He is clarifying my vision so I can learn to see Him in every moment of my day.
My choices of how I spend my time are also changing.
- Instead of picking up my laptop first thing, I’m spending time with my precious Jesus. The least I can do is give Him the beginning of my day rather than the leftovers. If I put off my time with Him, more often than not it doesn’t happen.
- Instead of being chained to my computer 24/7, I’m living life. I’m worth going to work out, spending time with Ridley, going to the park or on bike rides, and spending time with my hubby in the evenings.
Notice a trend? It has to do with this wonderful piece of technology called a laptop. Ahem.
By the grace of God, I’m shaking off the techno idols that have been overtaking my heart.
“The dearest idol I have known,
What’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy Throne
And worship only Thee.”
I will continue to blog, chat, tweet, talk, build community etc, but only after I spend time with God and after I serve my family.
If I don’t do things God’s way I will be completely ineffective in every. single. other. area. of my life.
There is no other way.
Do you struggle with techno idols?
I pop in to twitter occasionally during the day, but I keep my blogging/computer work isolated to after my kids’ bedtime. I spend most of my computer time during my husband’s workouts, so that I can focus on my family! 🙂
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Catch a Falling "Black Star" =-.
it knows my name – and calls so loudly. If I found 100% validation in Christ I would not seek out the thumbs up, comments, or retweets that my computer so easily offers. ick.
working on this along side you! thanks for being brave to put it out there!
Stef
.-= stef´s last blog ..Like This? =-.
I quit Facebook over this very thing a couple months ago. While I will admit to missing that daily connection with my fellow SAHMs, it’s vital that I connect with Jesus and my family:). Life has been a lot better since I took that stand!
I did a “media fast” last year as part of a bible study. For a week, I didn’t use the computer. I did allow myself about 15 minutes to only check my email for important communications, but no clicking on links, surfing the web etc. It was a real eye-opener. I think I should do it again to make myself see how much time I spend on te computer.
This is just what I needed to read today. About 10 minutes before I read this I deleted my Twitter account. It didn’t seem as important to me anymore. Actually, I had been contemplating deleting it for several weeks, but kept holding back. Today while I was on it, I just felt that the Lord was telling me to delete it NOW once and for all….and I did. You are so right in what you posted. Seeing this post in my reader just now was like a reassurance to me that I did the right thing. 🙂
Thank you for posting this!
I was without my laptop for a week and I was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish. I noticed that I didn’t wither and die if I didn’t catch an email or DM as soon as it came in. I spent more time with God, with my son and doing things around the house. Because of that there was less stress, less frustration and less aggravation. God and family have to really come first instead of me just saying they do. Actions speak louder than words. Very convicting. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
.-= Tara McClenahan´s last blog ..Refuse to Let Your Marriage Crash! =-.
Myra ~ You are not alone in that struggle! I have had to create a schedule for my day. One that includes time w/ the Lord very first (even before my shower) and time w/ my family next. I use nap time and times in the evening when my hubby is working on sermons/church projects do work on my blogging/networking. I say all that not because I have it down perfectly, but because I came to the same point you have. It had become an idol in my life! I will pray for strength for you as you strive to honor the Lord in this area!! Thanks for the encouragement too!! =)
Love,
Rachel
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Sunday’s Song….. =-.
Thank you for being so honest and sharing your heart on this. I have been feeling like the Lord is dealing with on this very same thing. In fact I wrote on my older blog just the other day about laying aside the weight and sin that does so easily beset us….which for me I think has become the computer. (as well as movies and books sometimes too) It became a habit for me to use those things for entertainment or an escape when I’m too sick to do much else, but the Lord’s been showing me that I can still make better use of my time….even when I’m just sitting around feeling bad. Praying that we’ll both get victory in this area of our lives so that God can use us to do even greater things in our homes!
.-= Tyra´s last blog ..He Giveth and Taketh Away =-.
Wow. This really spoke to my heart. I have been thinking about my priorities lately also. Thank you for sharing this…Definitely needed to be heard!
.-= Joy Ellis´s last blog ..Park Day With Homeschool Group =-.
This was a challenge to me! Thanks!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..The Prodigy (part 2) =-.
I can totally relate. I wrote a blog post about it recently: http://dayindayoutdayupdaydown.blogspot.com/2010/02/beware-lotus.html
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your post today. I recently started my blog and have spent a LOT of time on it these past few days – just getting things organized, ya know. However, after a couple of hours I start to think – is this worth ALL of my time right now? I too have felt a little guilty about spending so much time on the techno gadget 🙂 Thank you for some clarity and much needed encouragement to make better choices for my time – I really enjoy your blog! ~ Meg
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Cottage Retreats =-.