Escapism
I’ve got into a bit of a bad habit recently.
I didn’t really notice it until God started prodding me in the gentle way He does, and opening my eyes to the problem.
The problem dresses up in different ways, but it’s the same underneath it all. One day it’s that I watch way too much TV, another day it’s that I get lost in blog-land for way too long, and then there’s the whole thing of endless trips to the kitchen for toast and tea.
None of these things is a problem in itself really, it’s just that God showed me I was getting caught up in them for the wrong reason. And that reason is escapism.
There are things He’s given me to do, and instead of doing them, I am escaping them by cramming my time with stuff. Probably good stuff sometimes, but not the right stuff as far as God’s concerned.
I wonder about my faith sometimes because instead of spending time with God and praying about what is worrying me and the things I feel inadequate to do, I hold onto these feelings until they kill my motivation and I use my time avoiding them.
So today I tried something new. I sat down with God and gave Him time to search my heart. I told Him exactly how I felt. He showed me that our needs are only ever met in Him, not in a piece of toast and not in my favourite TV shows. He showed me that of course I feel inadequate because I was made to abide in Him, and in His grace. He showed me how much praying to Him changes things.
And so I feel differently now, and it’s really good. As if God’s walking me back from a place that chews up my time and leaves me no closer to His purposes.
I can totally relate to this and what God said to me was that if I fill myself with Him I won’t crave or long for anything else this world has to offer. We crave when we are unsatisfied (or empty) but when we become satisfied in the ONLY THING that can fully and permanently satisfy us then we will not crave anything else…we are too full on the inside. This is also not a once of thing and I believe requires at least a daily feeding of our spirits…x
This is such a great perspective! It’s so true, each day making the effort to come to God, and allow Him to fill us. It changes everything when He is given the opportunity to do that, I find. Thanks so much Sands XO
Thanks for speaking from your heart here. I love it when God ever-so-gently corrects me. You are a precious soul.
Thanks so much @ngie, God bless.
oooh, this was good for me. i’m guilty of all-too-often escapism as well. i thrive on the busyness of my life, but sometimes it’s just a means of escape and avoidance.
thanks for this. i needed it.
Hi alece, I know what you mean, I amaze myself with the things I can find to fill up my time :)