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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Not everything is beneficial

They are all around us. Idols. Here I am trying to have my quiet time with God and what's on my mind but the fact that our cell phones got shut off and I had to call to get them turned back on. My cell phone is attached to my hip. I have it whereever I go. If I don't have my cell phone with me I feel lost, naked. If I leave for somewhere and I forget my phone we have to turn around and come back home to get it. I will admit I'm obsessed with my cell phone. I check it 20 million times a day to see if I have any text messeges, when someone texts me I have to stop whatever I'm doing to text back.

I've been feeling the little nudge to limit my cell phone use for a while. Yesterday morning while I was spending time with God all I could think of was my cell phone It's not a nudge anymore, it's a downright shove.

Everything is permissable but not everything is beneficial.

That's what I keep repeating to myself, everything is permissable but not everything is beneficial. Having my cell phone sitting next to me at the dinner table ~ how does that benefit my family. Having to turn the car around after we're almost to our destination just for  my cell phone, how does that benefit our gas tank and our finances. Having my cell phone on the table next to me as I read my Bible, how does that benefit my walk with God. It doesn't. All of these things are permissable but none of them benefit anyone but myself and my own selfish desires. 

What do you have in your life that is permissable but doesn't necessarily benefit anyone but your own desires? What do you think God would have you do with whatever that thing is? Does it take away from your time with Him or the family He gave you?

5 comments:

Jenifer Metzger said...

Oh Mandy! This was so me! I always have my phone by me, well, actually IN my hand. About a year ago it was also in my hand during my quiet time and family time. God really worked with me about that. Now my time with God and our meal times are no phone zones! It was hard at first but so worth it.

Unknown said...

Great post! I can really relate. I don't want to have any idols in my life - none!! I want to have God on my mind all the time, not my phone. Gotta put God first!

Kelli said...

Okay, okay girl, I'll put the phone down! Great post! Very convicting!

Heidi said...

Yep... the cell phone, it's a little idol :) My husband just informed me that I need to brush up on cell phone etiquette... apparently he's tired of talking to me while I text! Great post... I'm convicted too!

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

Ah yes... The mobile phone ball-and-chain. I'm afraid I'm guilty of this one as well. Thank you for the convicting and timely reminder.

Have a Blessed Day!