I woke up from a dream Friday morning that was not pleasant. I dreamed that a friend from a past church had been kidnapped and was found dead. I had finished the story before I awoke, but was disturbed that this sort of dream had occurred at all. I also realized that I actually write stories in my head as I dream, so as to affect the outcomes. I told God I didn’t want to write stories like that and He responded “then why do you watch shows like that?”
I love shows like Blue Bloods, all the versions of NCIS, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary and the new CSI: Cyber. They are bulk of my television watching. On Netflix, Inspector Morse and Hercule Poirot are regular fare. As I considered my viewing choices, I realized that they may be counterproductive to my writing about my relationship with God. I was reminded of the scripture:
Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. AMP (www.biblegateway.com)
The call on my life as a writer is to share God’s goodness and the hope He offers to everyone who will accept the sacrifice of Jesus to pay the price for their sin. In order to fulfill that call, I need to bring my thoughts in line with God’s written word and the hope that comes with my relationship with Him. I realized that God was saying perhaps the darkness of some of those episodes may cast a shadow over my thoughts and inhibit my expression of the goodness He brings to my life.
So now I have to consider whether I am willing to change my choices. Tonight, I watched an Inspector Morse partly because of the setting in Italy. As I watched, I was mindful of the web of deceit and evil portrayed. It was less intriguing than usual. In the past when I needed to make a change, God has been merciful and has made things I needed to give up unpalatable. I suspect He may do the same again because His mercies are new daily and have allowed me to change in the past. He will complete the work He started in me.
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB) (www.biblegateway.com)
You must be logged in to post a comment.