Godly Distraction?

I find that every six months or so, I get sidetracked. “Sidetracked from what?” you ask. Sidetracked from what I feel should encompass my every thought, word, and action: spreading the word of God, studying the word of God, LIVING the word of God. 

Admittedly it’s difficult. There are many distractions out there today. Not all of them are bad. In fact, I wonder sometimes if a little “Break” from spiritual matters is not necessary to refresh our thinking. Then again, maybe it’s not.

I recently finished a great fiction series of books, The Hunger Games. While the book are not spiritual in nature, there are spiritual insights that could be drawn from them. I found myself reading from a Christian worldview, seeing the utter lack of hope of someone to turn to in desperate times in the characters. 

The main character goes through so much inner turmoil throughout the series, it’s a wonder she didn’t just give up---actually I think more than once she does...something always gets her going again.

Without revealing the ending, I will say there was not really much redemption. From the first act that initiates the whole series, to the last statement, there is never really a true comfort or happiness achieved. They are simply “getting by.” 

I found myself wondering how it would be different if Christ was involved. Katniss (main chracter) certainly acts sacrificial at times. She volunteers to protect her younger sister from the games, knowing she will likely die. But it isn’t a perfect sacrifice. Deep inside, there are other motives that manifest throughout the series. In truth, her inner nature is rather selfish. 

So, with all the “Christian view of the Hunger Games” articles out there, I won’t attempt to pull that off again.

I did find myself wondering where Christ would even fit into that world. It is obviously a future version of our world, and very similar in some of the depravities. It might be accurate to say it is an exponentially exaggerated version of our current state in the world. Take the bad we have now and multiply it by itself numerous times, and we get an idea. 

However, amidst all the heartache, there is still some happiness. The human condition involves love as well as suffering. I noted mentally there were many cases when Katniss seemed to be searching for something that was missing...someone to save her from her circumstances.

And that is where I believe we can take a lesson. Many people in our own time, the real world, are searching for something to fill a void in their lives. They think by helping others and giving of themselves that it will somehow fill that space and make them better. Often it helps temporarily, but subsides after a time. There is a reason people say we have a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts.

There was only ever one who could fill that void. In our real world, we have that option. Even in the fictional earth of the book, a knowledge of Christ could have existed, as its simply never mentioned--but not denied either. They seem to search for something higher than themselves, much like we do. 

In reality, God uses suffering to our benefit. That statement probably scares some of you...certainly it scares me. A good kind of scare. We mature as Christians through trial. It is not always the devil out to get us, but very often is God allowing us to go through our circumstances, in order to grow and mature and come out the other end as better people and Christians. 

The early church practically suffered constantly--while most modern Christians would pray for help if they stubbed their toe. It’s a difference in circumstances for sure, but also a lack of willingness to admit that God does allow us to suffer. We like to pretend that it’s always an evil force against us (and at times it is), but we also need to acknowledge that God can use our suffering for good.

I think in the book, a knowledge of that concept would make the character less suicide-minded and more hopeful that whatever is accomplished, will be for the better--suffering or not. Instead of a selfish attitude of wanting to end her life at the hardest times, she could have acknowledged that there was a purpose to the suffering---and in most cases even in the book a purpose is seen after the suffering ends. 

It’s a tough issue to tackle, and many Christians will avoid it as well. It is not always a product of us being sinful either. Job’s friends accused him of some secret sin when he was suffering, suggesting that the cause of his suffering was an unconfessed sin. But we know that sin or not, suffering can occur at anytime. It is part of the fallen condition. 

When we trust in Christ for salvation, we aren’t just buying a free pass to Heaven and then sitting back waiting on the gravy train. We are to be actively seeking to walk and live as Christ would have us live--and he was a great example of the suffering servant. 

Yes God wants us to have favor and prosper, but not at the expense of our witness. If all the Christians had all the things they wanted, no one would bother witnessing. We would hide in our houses playing with our toys, ignoring those who need to hear the word. We practically do this anyway--I know I do occasionally. And that brings me back to my original point.

Are we supposed to take a break from studying? Can we read a good fiction book once in awhile? Can we play some video games or have a mindless distraction? 

Or do we need to remain kingdom focused 24/7? 

I think it may be both. I think we know deep inside when what we are doing is consistent with what God wants, and when it’s us just running from responsibility. I am seeking to jump back into the Word, and Christian living books after my brief foray into Fiction. But for the first time, I entered the realm of fiction from a Christian worldview. My mind was considering the fictional characters’ circumstances in light of the gospel. 

Perhaps if we remain gospel focused in our hearts, then in whatever we do, we will do it unto the Lord. Perhaps my insights gained will help someone at some time in the future.

Or maybe we just need laziness sometimes. 

The Christian walk--our sanctification--can take many forms within us individually, but the ultimate goal is to live our lives daily for Christ--dedicated to doing whatever it is we do unto the glory of the Lord, so that by our works it is evident that we are followers of Christ.