I wish I could figure out well in advance the sorts of things that are going to really hook me – things that once I get started, I just can’t stop. And then I get ANGRY at myself for wasting time trying to master something that is not only silly but is also without much redeeming value.
What are some examples? Spider solitaire and Soduko puzzles, to name two. And today I was thankful that there are now iPhone apps for each of these because I was stuck in the ophthalmologist’s waiting room for almost an hour this afternoon! Unfortunately, once I get started playing one of these games, I have a hard time calling it quits – game after game, I keep telling myself, “just one more – this is the LAST one…”
Not a big deal, right? Well, not until someone (you know who you are) told me a few weeks ago that I should download a game called “Swiped.” The idea is this: as quickly as possible, you have to swipe your finger over rows of various “jewels” in order to rack up points. You need to progress from one level to the next – there are 12 levels in all. So far, I’ve gotten to level 11 (which is really hard to do, and I’ve only done it once!). But I guess I am not going to rest until I get to level 12.
I’ve actually started to BRIBE myself. I tell myself that once I finish everything on my agenda, then I can spend some time working on my “Swiped” goals (???!!!). So I started allowing myself some “Swiped” time just before bedtime. Of course, I’m not happy when I look up and see that it is suddenly well past midnight!
It’s so easy to get hooked on something silly like “Swiped”! I suppose it’s a good stress-reliever, so it’s not totally without value, right?
I remember years ago when I first really fell in love with Jesus. It became the entire focus of my days and nights – I was hooked. I literally couldn’t WAIT to wake up each morning to spend time in devotion and prayer and journaling. I was just so amazed at how different the world looked! I still have some of those journals from back at the “true” beginning of my journey and when I read through a few pages, I get goose bumps.
I don’t believe my relationship with Jesus is different than it was then, but it probably has mellowed some – similar to the way a good marriage mellows with age. But, with all my heart, I want that relationship to never lose the excitement and the passion and the amazement that was there when I was first “found”. I want to look forward EVERY MORNING to waking up and meeting Jesus anew. That is my prayer this week – for me and for all of you. May we allow ourselves to be hooked on Christ.
Pastor Janice