"I'll Watch The Movie"

For today's post, I am going to share with you something that my son, Matthew, posted on his Facebook page last week. I pray that his words bless you as much as they blessed Shannon and me.

"I'll Watch The Movie"

I was just listening to a Switchfoot song, and I started to really try to understand the lyrics. Here's the important part:

Nothing but a chemical in my head
It's nothing but laziness
Cause I don't wanna read the book
I'll watch the movie
Cause it's not me
I'm just like everybody else my age

I think I'd rather play around
And I think I'd rather watch TV
Cause I don't wanna face my fears
I'll watch the movie
Cause it's not me
I'm just like everybody else
I'm just like everybody else

It's about the tendency of us as teenagers to blame our passiveness, our laziness, our inability to put effort into anything on the fact that we are teenagers, that we're human. We don't want to read the Bible everyday; we'd rather "watch the movie." We'd rather take the easy way out: show up at Church, hear (but not listen to) what the speaker says, give the most sincere sounding answers to direct questions, and move on with our lives Monday through Saturday.

I say this because it's exactly what I have found myself doing many a Sunday. I've also seen something else in me: discontentment. Lack of peace with my life that always accompanies just "watching the movie." Lack of faith in my ability to carry myself through the week. The feeling that no matter what I do, whether it be doing schoolwork, watching TV, listening to music, talking to friends, or just taking a nap, I cannot improve my mood. I cannot boost my confidence. I cannot do anything on my own (or even with the help of others) to make this life livable.

But when I do turn off the movie and pick up the Book, that contentment and peace that I've been missing, that faith in the fact I'm going to survive this week, that feeling that not I but He can do something to give me exactly what I need, returns. Tom just talked about this this Sunday, and he's right. He's dead on. Nothing in this life will ever do you good like finally getting into the Word: nothing. I know that sounds like such a "church" thing to say, but it's the truth. It's as true as it gets. I've never found anything to be so true in my life.

James 1:22
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Matthew also suggested that I share the song with you, so if you're interested, take a listen.
God Bless,
Amy:)