All I wanted tonight was a peaceful evening at home, enjoying a movie with my boyfriend. So we went to the Red Box and chose The Invention of Lying. Neither of us knew much about it but figured it would at least be tolerable. It began that way, but I can tell you it certainly didn't end that way.
One would assume that this opinion was created by excessive use of vulgar language, inappropriate situations, etc. Well, despite the face that there was a small bit of the aforementioned [What movie isn't like that these days?], that was not was cause so much disdain for me. It was a complete mockery of Christianity. Not just a few aspects of it or a few known faces of it, but of the entire Christian belief system.*** (See below for a summary. I wouldn't want to be the reason for anyone to watch this just so that they could understand what I was talking about.)
To start, I know that we live in a country that has freedom of speech and I am in total agreement with that. It was not the fact that the movie was offensive to me and my beliefs that truly upset me though [even though that was a small fraction of it]. It was that such a large amount of people were a part of a movie like this particular one. That that many people were okay with putting something of its' content out into the eye of the public. And even worse, that it could sway unknowing people to believe such a lie. It is just so heartbreaking to me.
However, while this entry is not meant to bash or offend the people apart of the making of the movie or anyone who likes the movie, it is simply to remind myself [most of my posts are made for similar reasons if you haven't already noticed] that while this world we live in is an amazing miracle and blessing by our Creator, it is also full of the Devil trying to manipulate and ruin us with everything he can.
Our message at youth group on Sunday was based around almost the exact same principle, and it just shows me how much God truly is working in my life. It amazes me how I can go from being so upset about something that Satan is responsible for, to feeling so blessed because my God is keeping me aware and focused on the prize; Living an eternity with Him.
So while this is to remind, encourage and focus myself, it is also to help any and everyone to do the same thing in their lives. It is inevitable that the Devil will do all he can to take us down with him by putting bad influences in our lives (people, movies, etc.), but it is our job to keep our eyes on Jesus and all of the amazing things He has promised us.
"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
Romans 16:20
XOXO
Lindsey
***The summary:
It's been said that as humans, we are creatures of habit. Well in my eighteen years of life, I have found this statement to be extremely true. There are aspects of my life that are extremely routine. What I have to do before I go to bed, how I got ready for school, what I do when I get on the computer, etc. While the fact that I am outrageously OCD particular about certain things, I have found that it takes me quite a long time to build my habits. I must be vigilant about making sure I remember to do said thing each day for weeks.
So wouldn't you then think that it would take me an even longer time to kick my habits? It turns out that that is right and wrong. The silliest habits I have, I can't stop doing for the life of me. Take my night time routine for example. Before I can even think about going to sleep, my closet doors have to be completely shut, ALL lights off or covered (like the little light on my TV monitor for example..), ALL sound stopped (especially repetitive or rhythmic noises) and chapstick and lotion on. And that is only my pre-sleep routine! [It's border-line ridiculous, but hey, I've got to do what I've got to do.] I have been doing that same routine for years and I have absolutely no idea as to how that got started. I try so hard to gradually ween myself out of it, but my instincts kick in and it's a lost cause.
Then there are the habits that I [attempt] to keep because it wouldn't hurt to do so or because someone else wants me to do it. For example, running. I used to run at least a mile every single day depsite how much I truly detested it. Do I do that now? Heck no. I hate running and find zero joy in doing so. It's not like it's the exercise aspect of it though because trust me, I can Zumba my booty off for hours and hours and have no problem with doing so. I just have no desire to run in circles on a track, in a cul-de-sac, or around a neighborhood while people watch how slow my short, little legs move. It's boring, embarassing and I do not want to do it. So was that a hard habit to start? Well duh. But was it an easy one to put a stop to? Extremely!
But then there are the habits that I so desperately need to keep with, but it becomes just oh-so easy to push it aside when convenient. This example also has to do with my night-time routine. In the last couple of years, I have began to read my Bible frequently. It all started because a speaker at Winter Retreat challenged us to read our Bibles every day. So of course, I accepted the challenge and it worked! For a while anyways.. Every single night before I went to bed I made sure to read at least one chapter and take notes about what I had read. [If I don't write it down, I lose focus. Big time. Anyways...] I did so well! For a few months...But I got busy, and that precious time spent with my Lord and Savior got pushed aside instantly. Then the Summer rolled around, and a speaker at Church camp challenged us to read our Bibles everyday for 30 days in order to start an incredible habit. [Coincidence?? Nah. I have camp on the brain.] So I did the same thing. Did well, then got busy. I have done that same pattern of behavior FOUR TIMES since that first Winter Retreat experience. However, I have started this process over again. But this time, it will be the LAST time.
Yes, we are creatures of habit. But it also takes self-control and awareness to start a healthy and rewarding life-long habit. So while this blog post was mostly to remind me of what I must keep with, it is also for any and everyone reading this. Despite the fact that that's not exactly a huge number, I'm hoping it will be at least relevant for one person reading this crazy thought process of mine. So I encourage you to take a look at your life at this moment in time and become aware of the habits that you either have and need to kick (anything unhealthy for your physically, mentally, or spiritually), or the habits that you know you need to keep a constant. All it takes is a little faith [in both ourselves and our Creator who gives us all of the support we could hope for] and you'll be amazed at the difference you will see.
XOXO
Lindsey
