Monday, July 11, 2011

The Media Fast Challenge

Often we do not realize the influence something has on our lives until it is gone. When my son, Jubal, was born three months pre-mature, I found myself cut off from all forms of media. All I had was my Bible to read while my wife and I took turns holding Jubal in the hospital. When I came back, I found that I no longer had a desire to even watch television. I found myself thinking more clearly and was able to draw near to God in a way that I had never done before.

Given my experience and the resulting changes that have occurred in my life, I would like to encourage anyone who may read this blog to take up a media fast. Here is the plan:



For one month, watch zero television and do not listen to talk radio. This is important: when you take something away, you must replace it with something else. During this month fast, use that time to:
  1. Read the Bible
  2. Pray
  3. Spend more time with your family and friends.
Once the month is up, you can then decide if you want to return to your old ways. If you follow these guidelines, I think you will find that you would rather spend time with God than time sitting in front of the television, especially when you see clearly what you have been watching.

I pray that each of you will take this challenge to heart and follow through. Please let me know if you do decided to take it so that I can pray for and encourage you through it.

2 comments:

Jeremy Myers said...

This is great. Were you able to do this? Would I have to stay away from blogging and my computer? I don't think I would survive! Ha!

Matt Aznoe said...

I did... but not as completely as maybe I should. I basically took the month of August off from most of the Internet (especially Facebook), but I did visit a couple other select sites (a couple blogs and a weather site). I don't normally watch TV, so that wasn't a stretch for me at all. Next time, I think I will try to cut out all Internet surfing -- even the "good" stuff.

Really, it comes down to this: the more you give up, the more time you get with God. Which activities seem to distract you the most? Those are probably the places to start.

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