I was talking with a friend about the "high school culture". Mostly about high school dating but also about the way most high schoolers talk and dress.
And as we were talking, I realized how immune I've become to a lot of things that maybe I shouldn't be immune to.
This got me thinking.
How much of our world's society are we SO immune to that we don't even find it troubling anymore.
How many times have we seen magazines like this:
Or posters like this:
And passed them by without a second thought as to how harmful they actually are?
I mean, how many times do we laugh when a character unexpectedly drops the "f bomb" in movies. And how are we okay with watching shows where all the characters are having sex with people they barely know? It's so much more common than we realize.
It's so easy to pass these things off as "just how the world is now". But just for one moment, shouldn't we stop and think about what we're putting into our minds? Even if it's unintentional, like the magazines at the grocery store check out, shouldn't we take a minute to truly realize what these things mean?
I think it's easy for us to justify not caring because, well, WE don't do those things. We aren't wearing those clothes, saying those words, or having sex with random strangers. So it's okay for us to sit back and be entertained by the spectacle of our fallen world.
"Alright Anna, we get your point. But what are we supposed to DO about it?"
You got me there.
I don't know, honestly. I'm not saying we should stop going to the grocery store or the mall for fear of seeing things we shouldn't see. I'm not saying we should stop watching TV, reading magazines, or listening to mainstream music. I'm not saying we should shut out the world by any means.
I think what I'm really trying to say is that we should be a little more troubled by it, a little less blind to it, a little less immune to the world.
Maybe next time we see a magazine exploiting women or libeling someone, we should just stop for a minute. Maybe pray. For that person, or for our world, or for the LORD's presence to be known.
Maybe we should have sympathy for people like Lindsay Lohan or Miley Cyrus, instead of making fun of them.
Maybe we should mute the commercials that sell only sin.
Maybe we should just be a little more "on our guards". More aware. Less immune.
Now, there haven't been too many occasions where I've spewed my opinions out for all to see on my blog. And I was a bit afraid to post this, knowing that it's not something people are going to want to hear, since it's something we're all guilty of.
And before you start thinking I'm a hypocrite, let me be the first to say that I am extremely guilty of all of this. I have become frighteningly immune, and this post is as much for myself as it is for anyone else.
I hope that this strikes a chord with some of you as much as it did for me.
Alright, I promise I am done "speechifying" you.
...Love, Anna...
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Philippians 4:8
this is a great post, Anna!! I wholeheartedly agree with how incredibly easy it is to become immune to these things. I think our culture wants us immune to it, Satan himself wants us immune to it. When we are immune, it doesn't bother us anymore and we become desensitized.
ReplyDeleteAs young women, it is increasingly difficult to not let these things feed into our minds, hearts and souls. The urge to compare ourselves with others and discontentment creeps in when we have let our minds/hearts/souls become immune. We allow advertisements, tv shows, music, movies, social media, etc. to define the way we live--maybe not outright in our behaviors and actions, but certainly in our thoughts and hearts...the deepest places of our soul that long for something more!
I have fallen prey to being immune throughout my 20's. It has been something that has been subtle and not always noticeable. It has definitely corrupted my thinking and how I view myself, others and the world. Sometimes it is hard to see true beauty (how God created it) when all you can see is the airbrush qualities!
I want so much more for my life...I don't want to be desensitized and immune to what is sinful. I don't want to compare my life with others or be dissatisfied with the life God has blessed me with, and HOW He has created me.
It is hard to know what to do, and I think it really is up for each individual. Stop and think about the messages in magazines, music, tv, social media and figure out how it is impacting your life---making you unsatisfied, discontent, immune, desensitized, etc.--and then do what is necessary for you. Some people it may be things they watch, some it may be things they listen to or how much time is spent scrolling news feeds on social media sites others it may be a combination of all of those (like me)...taking stock and inventory, cutting back (or cutting out when necessary) and filling our minds/hearts/souls with reminders and promises that God and His Word offer us....
who we are in Christ
He is the only thing that truly satisfies
We were mad in His image
We are precious to Him
He makes us beautiful...etc.
It is hard to know which steps to take, but it is worth it!
Love you dearest cousin!!
I am so glad you had the courage to post this, Anna!!! I couldn't agree with you more... It is such a struggle to be pure in a world that is filthy and decaying more and more each day, physically and socially. I love what you added about praying for Miley or the people on magazines. I mean, honestly, what do we do most the time? I know I always end up walking away feeling better about myself. When really we are all sinners in need of a savior. Only God can save this broken world.
ReplyDeleteLove you and your thoughts girl:)
~Olive