Spiritual Binging
Technology makes it possible for people to binge-view television. The DVD makes it possible to record an entire season of programs to be watched all at one time. Some viewers have been known to record a whole season of a show without watching a single episode until all of the episodes have been recorded. Then they spend a weekend binging on a TV program! Wanting to get in on the show, TV networks broadcast a complete series’ worth of TV programs all in one weekend. They do it to provide catch-up viewing and create anticipation for the new season.
Now Netflix has produced an original series called “House of Cards” and they released two seasons (26 episodes) all at once to satisfy the addiction of binge-viewers. Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, said,“The Internet is attuning people to get what they want when they want. House of Cards is literally the first show for the on-demand generation.”
Who binges on TV programs? The answer will surprise you. According to a survey conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, 66% of 8-to-15-year-olds, 70% of 16-to-35-year-olds, 62% of 36-to-47-year-olds, and 53% of 48-to-66-year-olds say they binge-view multiple TV episodes back to back (Los Angeles Times, Feb. 1, 2013, p. A10). That means that a majority of the people from ages 8 to 66 have experienced binge-viewing of TV!
May I suggest a spiritual binge? The word “binge” is used to describe someone who eats or drinks too much in a short period of time. But there’s more than one meaning of the word. It also means “a spree,” that is, a short period of time when something is done in an unrestrained way.
Did not Jesus practice spiritual binging? “He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Lk. 5:16). Luke does not say how long He spent in the wilderness, but the implication is it was more than a day.
However long it was, He did it often. “As Son of Man, He had, in common with us all, to draw from God the strength needed for His hours of activity” (Godet). Spiritually, those who stand strong are those who first kneel in prayer.
Is not fasting a form of spiritual binging? Concerning the marital relationship, Paul says, “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor. 7:5). Paul does not specify the time involved, but the implication is it was more than a day.
Why not go on a spiritual “spending” spree? Set aside a block of time to spend with the Lord “in an unrestrained way.” It could be an evening, a whole day, or several days. Use the time to read the Word (Binge on the Bible!) and talk to its Author. Take a book of the Bible and read it over and over at one sitting, talking to the Lord as you read.
Sound radical? It is no more radical than watching a season of a single TV program in two days.
© G. Michael Cocoris. February 4, 2013
Now Netflix has produced an original series called “House of Cards” and they released two seasons (26 episodes) all at once to satisfy the addiction of binge-viewers. Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, said,“The Internet is attuning people to get what they want when they want. House of Cards is literally the first show for the on-demand generation.”
Who binges on TV programs? The answer will surprise you. According to a survey conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, 66% of 8-to-15-year-olds, 70% of 16-to-35-year-olds, 62% of 36-to-47-year-olds, and 53% of 48-to-66-year-olds say they binge-view multiple TV episodes back to back (Los Angeles Times, Feb. 1, 2013, p. A10). That means that a majority of the people from ages 8 to 66 have experienced binge-viewing of TV!
May I suggest a spiritual binge? The word “binge” is used to describe someone who eats or drinks too much in a short period of time. But there’s more than one meaning of the word. It also means “a spree,” that is, a short period of time when something is done in an unrestrained way.
Did not Jesus practice spiritual binging? “He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Lk. 5:16). Luke does not say how long He spent in the wilderness, but the implication is it was more than a day.
However long it was, He did it often. “As Son of Man, He had, in common with us all, to draw from God the strength needed for His hours of activity” (Godet). Spiritually, those who stand strong are those who first kneel in prayer.
Is not fasting a form of spiritual binging? Concerning the marital relationship, Paul says, “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor. 7:5). Paul does not specify the time involved, but the implication is it was more than a day.
Why not go on a spiritual “spending” spree? Set aside a block of time to spend with the Lord “in an unrestrained way.” It could be an evening, a whole day, or several days. Use the time to read the Word (Binge on the Bible!) and talk to its Author. Take a book of the Bible and read it over and over at one sitting, talking to the Lord as you read.
Sound radical? It is no more radical than watching a season of a single TV program in two days.
© G. Michael Cocoris. February 4, 2013