To watch or not to watch?

Watching TV has become more of a challenge as I develop new habits. I refuse to watch what most of the public enjoys. I am not anti-TV, I am against wasting my time. Last year I challenge myself to do something productive with the amount of hours I’d be sitting in front of the TV during the Fall season. It was a great experiment and I actually felt great about all the work I put on an eBook. Today I am in my room thinking about the choices I keep making for myself. I am not perfect and I watch the occasional junk on TV. 

What I am realizing is that I have more of a vote than I give myself permission to have. Just because everyone is talking about it I don’t have to watch it. I often select what I'll watch by looking at the rating. Some ratings are not worth watching at all. I also look at previews to see if it’s worth sitting down and watching. I have the tendency to feel better about using that hour to work on the goals I set for myself or to advance in the work I have at home and as a volunteer. Last weekend I attended a women’s conference conference and I was convicted (again) of my TV watching habits. Although we don’t watch TV on school nights, there is still room to grow. I can do without some of the shows I enjoy watching. Here’s what I found in the Bible about this subject: 

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:37 • the story of my life! One night I decided not to veg in front of the TV but to read my Bible. It was a much better investment of my time and it really gave me life. 

“I will not set anything worthless before my eyes. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me.” Psalm 101:3 • your boy David again. It seems that in this instance, he is telling God what he is going to do. I feel that I get to choose what I watch so I also get to change it. God is not going to come down from heaven and change the channel for me. I get to choose what I set before my eyes. I think that this is what Job meant when he said in his book, chapter 31 verse 1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” If you can choose it, you can change it. 

Friend, don’t get me wrong. I love a good documentary. I enjoy The Waltons with great enthusiasm and I am in search of another great series to watch. What I can’t afford is to ignore the Holy Spirit when it comes to my TV watching habits. If God wants me to stop a behavior it is because He has a better way for me to live. I might be mute the next time the conversation is about some super popular show out there. My heart will be a peace with God though, and that’s what really matters.