Over the next few days or weeks, I’m going to change my media diet. I’m not talking about going on a “media fast.” But I think it’s time for a change.

Why the sudden desire for change?

To be completely honest, I’m wanting to change my media diet (not unplug completely, just make a change) largely because I feel disconnected.

• I don’t feel as connected to God as I would like.
• I don’t feel as connected to my wife as I would like.
• I don’t feel as connected to God’s purpose in my life.

And I deeply want to feel connected. I want for my passion for the purposes of God to increase. I want a renewal of vision. And I want deeper intimacy.

Further, I get the sense that I’m bordering on having media in control of my life than under my control as I submit to God. I find myself wanting to watch that next episode of a sitcom or wanting to check my Facebook or Twitter accounts more than I find myself wanting to play a card game with my wife or spend a few moments in prayer with God.

I don’t believe it’s God’s plan for me to be controlled by my circumstances. I believe it’s God’s plan for me to be devoted to and obedient to him.

How did I get here?

Nashville has experienced record rainfall and flooding over the past few days. While our family is safe and dry, we were essentially locked in our house for a couple of days, filling our time with repeated newscasts, storm updates, movies, and internet interactions.

There’s not necessarily anything wrong with those things. Most of what we did might have even been the right thing at the time. But now it’s time for a change.

What am I talking about?

Let’s start with what I’m not talking about. I’m not talking about taking a media fast. Nor am I talking about taking a sabbatical.

I’m talking about going on a media diet. Controlling how much and when I consume (or produce) media. How much and when I watch the news or TV shows or movies. How much and when I check social media accounts. How much and when I blog.

I’m not saying I’m stopping (unless God moves me that way). Just controlling.

That’s not all

I’m not just changing what I’m not going to be doing – there’s a purpose. There are things I want to focus my life and time on.

• I want to focus on connecting with God. Spending time in prayer, worshiping Almighty God, and reading and studying the Bible. Things that develop intimacy.
• I want to focus on connecting with my wife. Spending the time we have on interactivities (I made that one up – interactive activities). Things like talking or going for walks or playing games. Things that develop intimacy.

How about you?

How is your media & activity diet? Are you in balance?
Are there things that you feel are out of balance?
Are there changes you’d like to make?
What are you going to do about it?