The dangers of the media are well known and yet the negative influence
it has on us as individuals, and corporately as a nation, is astounding. It has
become the golden calf that we’ve erected. We each pooled the riches of our
time and money into constructing a false god that only serves to destroy us.
I spend so much more of my day with this god than the God I claim to
worship, letting adverts wash over me and tell me what I need to achieve
happiness and be liked by those around me. I read trashy mags. which reiterate
that message and surf the Internet, which is saturated with ways I can improve
my life. The media is a relentless preach about my insignificance and
worthlessness and there is always just one more thing I need to get in order to
be happy. Like Alice down the rabbit hole I will be chasing after the
impossible for the rest of my life to achieve happiness or validity this way.
So why do I allow this god to drown out the voice of the real living
God? Why do I fall for the lies and truly believe that losing two stone and
buying that dress will sort out all
my problems? Perhaps because I
don’t spend enough time listening to the truth and the voice of my Father.
Instant gratification shapes this nation. If you want an answer: Google
it. A dress: buy online. Food: ring a take away. Travel: drive/fly/ train/bus.
Life is about being satisfied and quickly. God offers complete satisfaction but
sometimes we have to wait.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the
LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
We are NOT a nation who waits. As a whole most of us are impatient for
satisfaction, whether we’re aware of it or not.
However, here is the reason I am going to try and spend more time with
God and less time with the shiny, glamorous and wholly vapid god called the
media.
·
I’ve had cellulite since I was a skinny 14 year old.
The media tells me this is ugly and I should diet/buy expensive cream.
God tells me I’m
wonderfully made.
·
I have stretch marks (some from fluctuating weight
and some from being a mum). The media tells me I’m ugly.
God tells me He
sings over me.
·
I’m two stone heavier than I was before Phoebe. The
media tells me I’m fat one week and curvy the next. Pictures of girls like me
are often ridiculed and used as the before picture. I don’t overeat or over
drink but in the media’s eyes I’m ugly.
God tells me my
body is a temple and my beauty enthralls Him.
·
I can’t afford Top shop let alone designer. The
media tells me to get a credit card and do everything in my power not to wear
last season.
God tells me not
to worry as he clothes even the lilies of the field gloriously but he loves me
more than them so I’ll get what I need from Him.
·
I’m ginger. The media ridicules me and has caused a
nation to do the same. I’ve been teased, kicked, had food thrown at me and been
asked whether I would abort if I knew my baby was ginger too.
God tells me He knitted
me together and like all creation thinks I am good.
·
I live on a council estate. The media says we’re all
dole scum.
God tells me I’m
seated in heavenly realms.
·
I’m a low grade and therefore low paid teacher. I
care about young people and I’m passionate about my subject. The media says
we’re to blame for young people’s behavior, lower grades and social decline.
God tells me I’m
a co-heir with Christ; He defines my status.
·
I’ve lied and cheated and slept around and done
drugs. The media tells me I’m a statistic and would love to shove me on Jeremy
Kyle to be shouted at and shamed.
God tells me I’m
forgiven and free.
I won’t be giving up TV forever and this is evidence that I’m on the
internet but I know that to feel secure and good about myself I need to spend
more time with the God who loves me. Who is with me?
