Filling you mind up.

It would seem that we are an easily fanatical people.
There’s no point denying it, we just appear to have a natural disposition towards fanaticism.

What am I talking about?
Well let me put it this way, how many of you sit down to watch the same soap opera every day?

Do you remember the first series of Pop Idol?
Of course you do. It didn’t matter where you were, there would be a certain time on a Saturday evening when TVs would flick on and all conversation suddenly revolved around who you preferred; Will or Gareth.
Did we ever bat an eyelid or think this was antisocial behaviour? Of course not.

Or what about the Olympics!
Do I know the first thing about curling? No! And yet I would get in from work, put on the TV with great anticipation to see what developments had occurred. I’d be on the edge of my seat without the faintest idea what was happening!

We all know how easily we can become fanatical. I’m as guilty as the next man. Bleak House or Master Chef Goes Large, it doesn’t matter, I will rearrange our schedule just to tune in.
In fact the other week Ruth and I went out for meal together. It was only Pizza Hut but we were enjoying our time together and thinking about going to the cinema afterwards. Then I suddenly realised that we hadn’t set the video for The Apprentice later in the evening. Without a second thought we decided unanimously that the cinema could wait until another time and we’d go home to catch up with who would be fired next. It felt the right thing to do :o)

We have an innate desire, indeed fanaticism, to fill our minds. We can’t help it.
It’s nothing new, things don’t really change.
In fact the Philippians were no different it would seem. In his letter to them Paul didn’t try to tell him to ignore this character trait, instead he suggested they use it. Focus it.

“Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9

Our minds are naturally fanatical.
That’s OK, work with it.
Let the same passion that draws you to the TV every time East Enders is on draw you to Christ. Become increasingly fanatical about the things that will build you up. Things that will build up and develop your faith.

I have recently become quite fanatical about the new David Crowder CD. That’s OK though, the more I listen the more I feel lifted up. I listen to it in the car on the way to work, going shopping, driving to house group, wherever. It focuses me on Christ and builds me up. It reminds me of who I am and who He is, where I am going and how He wants me to live.