If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you are aware of the Media Fast. In fact, you may remember the following posts (here, here, here and here). The Media Fast has been one of the most beneficial disciplines in my walk with Christ. Annually, in the Student Ministry, we try to set aside two times in the year where we can dedicate ourselves to such efforts. For those of you who don't know, it looks a little something like this:

1. Care out time daily for Bible reading, prayer and worship.
2. Worship music exclusively.
3. Books that focus on the pursuit of God.
4. Quality time for life with each other.
5. If you don't absolutely need the electronic device for work or school, turn it off and put it down.

As this has been an integral part of the student ministry for years, this month it became a part of how our church does life. It was phenomenal. I could write for days and days about what God has done. Brought families together. Healed relationships. God sharing vision. God healing people. Countless people being filled with the Holy Spirit. New anticipation and expectation for services. I could go on and on and on, but I think one thing stands out. First things became first.

We're an interesting people. We look for something to fill "the space." Silence = emptiness and we yearn for each part of our day to be filled with something. At stoplights, we try to "squeeze" something in (email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Push notifications make sure that we don't miss anything. This things that once were deemed "freeing" by speed and availability have now hung milestones over our heads in which it's hard to break from our media dependence. And the things that should get the time (God, family, friends), instead get the leftovers.

I don't know a person who at the end of their life said that life was worth living because they watched this show, posted this picture, checked-in to this restaurant, commented on this status, was mentioned by this person or saw that thing on TV. Instead, most of the best moments of life are lived with and around people.

The Media Fast pulls us from junk and puts us where we belong and where we began with God. It also reconnects us with those that matter most when all the stuff isn't included.