Some might opine that I think too much.
Cutting television out of my life has been extremely rewarding. There are many reasons television-free living is rewarding, but that is the topic of a future blog post. More important today is one of the greatest benefits of being TV-free...the encouragement to think...meditate...ponder.
Pondering as I was, I realized that it has been considerable time since I last studied Ezekiel. I decided, therefore, get to it. Then, (still thinking of course) I wondered how to go about it. If you have ever read Ezekiel, you understand that that this piece of the holy scriptures includes some very strange stuff. My first instinct was to assemble a mountain of commentaries to explain the meaning of the symbols and things seen in Ezekiel's visions, but (yes, you guessed it) I thought about it some more. Why not just READ Ezekiel? Slowly and thoughtfully, mind you, but simple, straight-ahead reading is the plan this time.
I might find out otherwise later, but my pre-study guess is that Ezekiel was not written for the purpose of confusing us. Nor was it written with the intent of only being understood by professors of theology and experts in the Hebrew language. As strange as this book is, I am entering the study thinking that it was written and preserved for us so that we can read it, become more holy, and draw closer to the Almighty of heaven. I will pray that He will open my eyes to see what He would have me see and I will proceed in faith that He will give what I've requested.
"I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' As for them, whether they listen or not - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them." (Ez. 2:4-5)
Maybe I THINK too much and don't DO enough. So forgive me, but I THINK I'll go DO something...but it won't involve television.
Hey Christopher, I'm with you 100% on the no TV thing. 1 week after my first son was born, I cancelled our sattelite package (full blown all the chanels you can get package) and hauled the TV into the basement. I haven't turned it on for almost 4 years now. 2 weeks ago I finally dug it up out of the basedment and hauled it to the electronics recycling facitily. TV is such an incredible waste of time. Life without television in so great. The first 2 weeks I kept thinking what am I going to do now? Now, I realize that I don't have any time for television. Now we have 3 kids at home, and sure it'd be easy for my wife to plop them in front of the tely while she does her work around the house, but my boys are busy playing, running around, and making up games and things instead. Far, far better for their precious little minds than the junk that so many stream into their homes. Add to that the fact that you have little control of what your children see, it's far too risky to just let them watch TV.
ReplyDeleteI've never really tagged into Ezekiel, but I do not it makes for some interested reflection. I named my second son Isaiah, and I've been revisiting that book for a while. So much great reading and stuff to think about in the Bible. Cheers.
Thanks again for reaching out, Jerome. It's nice to hear from someone else who understands. True story...I was at a business lunch with three other guys two days ago. One of them turns to me and says, "Did you watch the Rangers game last night?" When I replied, "I don't watch TV." He looked at me as if I'd slapped him. I wonder how often that happens to Kent when he tells folks he doesn't own a car.
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