One and a half days. That's the total I've reached. That's the time I have spent over recent months playing Candy Crush saga, usually late in the evenings after the to do list has been sufficiently conquered. I did the maths yesterday afternoon after a point in a sermon sparked my thinking... I don't think it's a statistic I'm proud of!
I'm not knocking computer games - many of them are fun and a great way to relax. And while there is a risk that playing online can isolate you from friends and get in the way of Christian service, it isn't inevitable these things will happen. Indeed, the giving and receiving of "lives" has brought me back in contact with a number of friends who had previously drifted from my life ... I've liked that. But, in the grand scheme of things, when I stand before the throne of heaven I'm beginning to wonder if 36 hours making striped candies and clearing jelly will be seen as an entirely wise use of my time. And whether I find the game (with its frustrating levels) truly restful at all ...
It's always a tough balance to get right. We are called to love and serve - and we are called to rest. There is a lot of liberty in exactly how we love, serve and rest but it's worth making sure we're aware of just how long we're spending on some of the specific ways in which we choose to rest.
So, here's a little Monday challenge for you. Think about your relaxation activity of choice - be that reading crime novels, watching sport, playing online, cruising Twitter, streamlining the latest action movies or knitting another scarf - and tot up the number of hours it takes up. Then prayerfully ask yourself these questions:
If it is - great stuff! It might even be good for you to do it more ... But if leaves you stunned or ashamed, then it's time to run to the cross for there we find forgiveness, and the power to change.
One and a half days ... I won't be stopping but I might be swiping the screen a little less this week!
