Let me just tell you what that is- a LIE. It is probably the biggest lie that we all believe every day of our lives. Because of the simple fact that we are surrounded by technology. I know that there are some families that really don't have much spare time, if any. But for this family, the "I don't have time" excuse is just that- an excuse.
Let me backup a little bit and let you dive a little deeper into my thought process. Wednesday night I attended a class at my local church. One of the ladies pointed out a verse in the text that says "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admireable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me- everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you" (Phil 4:8-9). Then she commented that even watching the evening news is the opposite of this. I know she had no idea at the time, but that really convicted me. I don't watch a whole lot of TV, but I'll admit that it is almost always on. There is one thing I do try to watch every day- the evening news. I never really tried to figure out why I have to get my 'news fix' daily. But now I've come to realize that it is because I want see the day's drama. Another thing I do about twenty or more times per day is look at facebook. I don't post things twenty times a day, I just like to check on the day's drama. This is absolute craziness. It is, for sure, not focusing on anything "worthy of praise."
Another red flag went flying Thursday evening when I started crying because husband put one of my sweaters in the dryer. He was trying to help. I cried. I CRIED! That is craziness. Actually, it is exhaustion. Why was I so exhausted? Because I didn't have enough time. That is what I told myself, and I believed me. But God said "Be still. Know that I am God."
So Friday afternoon, I made a decision: No TV and no internet for the weekend. Surprise, husband! He could totally use the internet if he wanted to, but I asked him to please leave the TV off for the weekend. (Obviously we aren't NFL fans.) I'm thankful that my husband joined me in my desire to turn off the world and focus on our family. You know what happened when we turned off the world? I had time. A lot of time. I spent 3-4 hours in bed Saturday because I am fighting an illness (again) and I still had a lot of time.
We spent our time as a family building an awesome space shuttle out of 1200+ Legos. I read almost a week's worth of my One Year Bible. I sewed a really cute monkey place mat for G. I cleaned, cooked, did laundry, read some more, played memory, and still had more time.
Something else happened when we tuned out- I didn't miss it. We agreed to take a little time to glance at the internet Saturday night. I logged on to facebook and immediately started filling up with negativity. I think husband looked at Legos for sale. I was ready to turn it off pretty quickly. We also agreed to turn on the football game this evening for a short time. We didn't watch it. Instead, G watched Clifford for a little while and we called it a night for the TV. I'm happy that it remains off. New rule for our house- no TV or internet one day a week. You should totally try it.
I'll admit it. The thought never occurred to me. Jesus not existing? Of course he existed...because...history! I'm very aware that there are many different ideas of God and gods, including the idea that God does not exist. But Jesus? I know you may not believe that he is the Messiah or that he is God in human form or that he is even the son of God. But...history! Well, it is true. There is a theory called the "Jesus myth theory" or "Christ myth theory." The theory states, as the name implies, that Jesus, the Christ, did not exist in human form or it is possible that he did not exist.
I was confronted with this theory on a very controversial website known for taking theories and turning them into "facts:" facebook. I had to stand up for my Christ. But first, I must align my ducks. To the atheist or agnostic, I know I don't have a lot of "proof" that they might accept. But to the Christ-mythee (is that what they're called?) I know there is evidence out there. I mean, I've been around the block once or twice. I've seen the history channel. So where is this evidence that Jesus, the Christ, was a living breathing person? Ah ha! I found it...and more of it...from non-believers (that is, non-Christians). Historical writings reference Christians as Christ-followers and mention the death of Christ at the hands of Pontius Pilate. The writing I found very interesting was by Cornelius Tacitus, a Roman historian. It is located in the Annals XV.44. and can be read here. This writing by Tacitus has been validated by many historians and it is agreed upon by most that Christ did, in fact, exist. I can't reference this information, really, because it's all over the internet. Just google it. So, with this information, I stood up for what I believe. The other individual chose to stay with the beliefs he currently has.
As for the atheist and agnostic, I think the only way they might be convinced is by having a "God experience." Or by witnessing one. If you search, you will see God in the very small and in the very big. Today I saw God where I can always depend on seeing him- in the Word. I opened my Bible at nap time to start a brand new Good Morning Girls study. I'm always hesitant to start new studies because I have a tendency to fizzle out. But God was calling me today and I listened. When I opened my Bible to Luke, this is what I saw:
So yes, the non-Christian history about Jesus is out there. But I'm reassured by God himself that not only did Jesus live; He died, was resurrected, and is promised to come again. This was my God moment today. Not to mention all of this took place while BOTH boys were sleeping!
It is hard to believe that it's already been ten days. The first few days were hard and I thought about my bare face a lot. But now, it's just routine. A simple routine that I'm beginning to get used to and actually like sometimes.
Day three was probably the most difficult day that I've had so far. That was due to a haircut that I'd scheduled weeks prior to my decision to get rid of the daily makeup. A haircut. Something to look forward to- time away from kids, being pampered by my sweet stylist, a perfect hairdo for at least one day (sometimes two if I don't wash my hair the next morning). Also, something I always have at least a little anxiety about. The reason is this- I walk in dressed in my average plain jane clothing with my average hair up in a messy pony and my average makeup applied haphazardly. Then I see them. Like hair models that have been grooming for their work day since the break of dawn. Using every hair tool ever created to make sure every strand is in the correct place. Applying their makeup to perfection so that it looks glamorous, but not overdone. Then completing their look with pinterest-worthy attire and accessories. The hairstylists. I'm already self-conscious about how I look, and then I'm told to sit in a chair facing the mirror and stare at myself for an hour while my hair is being cut. Yes, an hour. I have a lot of hair. Meanwhile, the hair beauties circle around me like sharks and I catch glimpses of them in the mirror as they pass. This all occurs on a normal haircut day. But remember, this was day three of no makeup. So my level of insecurity was off the charts.
I did what I usually do and tried to avoid eye contact with my worst critic- me. This time I also did something different. I prayed. Then I tried to picture what God says about me. What does God say about me? Umm...okay...I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139. I'm wonderfully made. What else?...?...Umm...What else?! Fear not, I'm always with you. Okay, that's a good one, but I don't know that it applies here. I wasn't really afraid. So I had an assignment for myself. Find out what God says about me and find out what God says about Godly beauty. I wish I could say that in the past week I've found and studied many, many verses about Godly beauty. But that's just not true. The truth is that I found this verse and have been trying to meditate on it daily:
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3,4 (NLT)
There you have it. Don't be concerned about outward beauty. Focus on inward beauty and a gentle and quiet spirit. Okay, I can do that. Not alone, but I can pray for God to give me the heart and mind that pleases Him. But wait, it continues...
This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 1 Peter 3:5 (NLT)
They trusted God. That is beautiful. They accepted the authority of their husbands. I'll be honest, I had a hard time with this one. You mean to tell me that God finds it beautiful when I accept the authority of my husband? I mean, obviously, my husband will think that's pure beauty. This particular verse isn't the first time authority of husband and submission of wife had come to light in my Bible searching this week. Currently, this is not a big struggle for me. But is has been in the past, and because God seems to be steering me in the direction of these verses, I sense something is coming.
In summary, this is what I've learned and stored in my "inner beauty" file for the week:
- Don't be concerned about outer beauty
- Focus on a gentle and quiet spirit
- Trust God
- Accept authority of my husband
I have learned so so much in the past ten days about myself and my God. I have experienced things that I expected like insecurity and negative thoughts about myself. But I've also experienced God-given gifts that were totally unexpected. Confidence. Freedom. I feel good about me. The inside me. The me that matters to the only One that truly matters to me.
