Turning Point

In recent years, the frequency of hearing accounts of people, cars, or even houses suddenly falling into a large hole as the earth collapsed beneath them has risen. These events are caused by giant sinkholes.

            Sinkholes are caused by water saturation. In some cases, underground water pipes burst or leak, causing unseen erosion. In other cases, the culprit is rainwater or underground springs. What’s shocking is the suddenness of the collapse. On the surface, everything looks fine. But beneath the surface, the integrity of the earth has been compromised. When least expected, a sinkhole suddenly forms and the ground collapses.

There’s a Lesson in Those Sinkholes

            When the influences of the world seep into the Christian’s habits or heart, they too can create unseen spiritual erosion. On the outside, everything seems fine—a Christian husband, a faithful pastor, a godly mother, a long-term marriage, a vibrant church. But worldly influences have a way of silently eroding the foundations. The collapse may seem sudden, but the destructive seepage has been gradual.

            Today’s Christians may be at an all-time “world saturation” level. Without intentional effort, we soak in many activities that can erode our faith, our habits, or our character. It’s a good time to check our saturation levels by asking these eight questions:

1. 1.      How much television do you watch every week? Some programs can provide needed diversion in small doses. But unchecked, television can douse our hearts and homes with worldliness.
2. 2.      How much time do you spend surfing the Internet? While the worldwide web is helpful for research and study and keeping up with friends, it can also be a huge sinkhole swallowing up vast amounts of time and sanctity.
3. 3.      What are you reading right now? It’s alright to enjoy leisure reading. But remember that your reading material is your mental diet, and whatever you feed your mind will influence who you are.
4. 4.      How much time do you spend soaking up the endless flow of news and commentary offered by political or media outlets? We all have our political viewpoints, and the media has learned how to stoke our boilers. Some people almost become addicted to the continual cycles of news and commentary.
5. 5.      Do you find yourself reaching for video games during moments of ease? Experts warn that video addictions are damaging to marriage, ministry, and mental well-being. Even a mild case of game-addition can seep away at the integrity of our spiritual foundations.
6. 6.      Are your friends the kind who draw you closer to the Lord or do they weaken your Christian zeal? Choose your friends wisely.
7. 7.      How many movies have you watched this month? I don’t object to an occasional movie carefully chosen. But as Christians, we mustn’t underestimate the impact of soaking our minds in movie land.
8. 8.      Is there anything on your computer screen or portable electronic device you’d be ashamed to show to Jesus?

Think on These Things

            How much time do we spend on the above activities compared to studying the Bible and engaging in prayer? Philippians 4:8, tells us to saturate our minds with what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. “If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things,” He said.

            It’s my belief that we need to turn off the constant streams of noise and distraction so we’ll have time to meditate on the things of God and allow His Word to seep into our conscious, subconscious, and unconscious thoughts. We’ve got to fix our minds on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

            Now is a good time to make some adjustments in your life. Forget resolutions. Just change some things, starting today. January is a perfect time for new beginnings. Determine from the first month of 2016 to studiously avoid sinkholes. Don’t soak in the world. Instead immerse yourself in the Word, remembering what the Lord promises in Jeremiah 31:25: “I have saturated every thirsting soul, and filled every hungry soul.”^[1]

            Let Him saturate and fill yours.