GATS Brazil Trip, Part 7

Personal Ramifications

Sometimes, you want to change your life, but you don’t seem to know where to begin, or how to do it. When I finished my M.Div. at the end of 2021, I really wanted to re-consecrate my life, as I had done so in 2000, when I stopped watching all secular television programs. I didn’t even attend popular movies at the time. I was separated to God and pulled myself away from the things of this world.

I lived that way for years. Somewhere around 2010 or a bit later, I remember distinctly asking myself, “Why?” Why am I still doing this? I’d had a severe disappointment and turned away from “ministry,” seeking something else to “do.”

I had a period where I watched TV14, but I would never watch “R” rated movies, because back in the 80s, I watched a couple of things I shouldn’t have, then repented and God healed my memories.

Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Just my opinion, but how much more worthless can you get than secular television and movies, especially movies. Very few have any kind of redeeming value these days. It’s up to you, but remember, we’re going to stand before Jesus someday to give an account of our lives. That’s why I say our eye gates are extremely important.

Here’s what I put in my journal about sanctification in mid-July. “This process will help us to become pure. We have so many ‘things’ and distractions in our lives, we don’t always realize how all that ‘activity’ — even Christian activity — can keep us in the old familiar patterns, when we should be seeing what we can strip off, leaving behind those things scripture says holds us back … habits, attitudes, practices, etc.”

So for me, I’m back to the sanctification that I had 23 years ago. Mostly, I read or play piano, or if I have a better hearing day, I can sort of hear a worship CD. And nap when I need to. Maybe at some point, I can re-engage more Christian TV and movies, but for now, God has allowed me only one “channel” so to speak that I can watch – Biblical stage productions here in this region. It helps me because I am highly visual, and some of the songs really minister to my spirit and soul.

Next time, Ramifications, Part 2 (Purification)