Media Fast

What could you give up for two day!?



This past month at EPIC as had a Media Fast for two days. Those who chose to do it signed a Media Fast Covenant to give up TV, videogames, music, computer with internet, movies and their cellphones. There were the exceptions of using the computer for homework and using their cellphones in emergencies or if their parents needed to them to communicate with them.


And it was really interesting to hear their feedback. Each student said what the hardest thing to give up was and for majority it was their cellphone, TV or music. As for the easiest, well that was interesting too, because some of the answers for the easiest were also the answers for the hardest thing to give up.


Each person had a different experience but I think one thing we had in common was for two days we realized how much we use media and how we use it without thinking. All of a sudden we had time where we would have used the computer, our cellphones, or turned on the TV and we couldn’t. The coolest part was as I talked with the students and leaders who gave up media they found themselves actually reading the Bible or praying to God. Without those things in their life, miraculously they had time for God. 


My biggest struggle was not having music in the car but that just lead to a lot of prayer time. I also seemed to be doing the things on my list I’ve wanted to do but never seemed to have the time to do. Isn’t it funny that when I took away the distractions in my life, I had the time to do those things?


I had a small group leader tell me this, “At first I was really frustrated and thrown off my game and didn’t know what to do with myself but after time it showed me I spend a lot of time doing things I don’t need to spend time doing and it showed me I need to spend that time doing things I need do.”


I had students told me that they went to bed early because didn’t know what else to do. Reading the Bible or praying didn’t come to mind because wasn’t in their routine...yet! But I also had a parent tell me she saw her son reading the Bible and she couldn’t believe it. I thought to myself, “Go God.”


God is seeping into the hearts of these students and adult volunteers! It is incredible to watch and be a part of! I had a great conversation with a mom who said that after an EPIC night, she and her two children sat down and actually discussed what they learned. She was so excited about that, which led me to get all excited too!


Please continue to keep EPIC in your prayers because prayers are powerful and can move mountains!


But I would also ask and invite you to look at your life and ask yourself, “What is keeping me from time with God? What is keeping me from reading the Bible and spending time in prayer?” Why do I say to myself ‘I just don’t have the time.’?” Maybe you will go on a media fast, even just for a day, and see for yourself just how much time you do have! It has encouraged me to consider doing this once a week just to realign my perspective on my priorities with my time. For we only have limited time here on earth and I want to make the most of it! Do you?