I have decided to end my long relationship with Survivor. Gulp! It is so hard for this fan of the show to not watch but I do not want to quiet the voice if the Holy Spirit living inside me.
For many years, I watched the show and laughed when people were blindsided, {gasped} as players' clothing began to sag in places that needed to be covered and {cheered on} the players who were strong and cunning. I simply did not care that they were promoting the very things my Savior died for. At that time it didn't matter to me.
Then I had babies. Life got serious. I was feeling very convicted about the way I was living my life and started living for the Lord. I continued to watch Survivor, but felt convicted when my husband stopped watching it with me. I almost stopped watching it then, but for the last two seasons, there was so much talk about God - the True and Living God! I was {shocked and amazed} that He was getting so much facetime on a prime time show. How wonderful!
But I feel like when something good happens that glorifies God, Satan just seethes with envy and works hard to steal the spotlight back for himself. And I do believe that will happen this season. I watched the first show and I could feel the Holy Spirit being grieved. Nothing was God glorifying (except the beautiful landscape scenes). The show was filled with so much of what the culture thinks is "cool and popular", but as a Christian it just makes my heart sad. There are so many who have been fooled and don't even realize it.
So I have cancelled my season pass (that's TiVo lingo if you don't know) and I will miss the beautiful seascapes and even the drama that plays out with the different personalities, but I cannot watch a show that promotes so much sin. Sigh. Sadly, this is not the first show I have had to stop watching, and most likely will not be the last.
If you are still watching Survivor, I do not condemn you at all. I get it. I love(d) the show! I just feel as if there are so many other things that I could spend this precious time doing that will work towards furthering God's kingdom. That is why I am still here, right?
Has this happened to you? Have you had to quit watching a show you enjoyed because you felt it did not honor God? I'd love it if you shared your opinion.
I have been a dedicated Survivor fan for a very long time. Actually, since the first season started - many moons ago. I love it! And I have no idea why. I hate the thought of eating gross things (although they don't seem to do that much anymore - and I am thankful). I despise the lying and back stabbing and blind siding. I am not a big fan of people running around in magenta skivvies - or even in their skimpy swim suits (and I have a strong opinion about children watching this type of stuff on TV, but more on that in a different post). I think it is disgusting to not brush your teeth for a month (although I am sure they all are sent the best whitening package ever before they go on the show because there is no way, statistically speaking, that all the people they choose could coincidentally have teeth that white). And don't get me started on deodorant. They are always saying how HOT it is on location - imagine that without CREST or RIGHT GUARD. ICK and DOUBLE ICK! You know, I am not even a competitive person. I prefer to play a game and not even keep score.
So why do I like Survivor?
I love to see the exotic locations. I love to see God's creation (well, minus the spiders they constantly show)! I love how their lives are not filled with junk. It is down to the basics. Food, water, shelter. I love to see the relationships form and find out how people emotionally and physically handle the extremes. Best of all, I love players like Matt.
Did you watch this season? Unfortunately, Matt didn't win. He came close, very close. He endured hardships. He was isolated much of the time from the other players. He had to handle getting the essentials for daily living nearly all alone (if you don't know, he was on Redemption Island most of the game, alone). He struggled and he admitted it. How did he pull through - by the grace and strength that only God can provide. And Matt constantly gave God all the glory. He talked SO MUCH about God, that the secular media producers couldn't provide any clips where he didn't give God glory. One woman, as she was leaving the "island" declared that she would go home and find a church because she wanted "what Matt had". Another guy said that he also became closer to God because of the example that Matt was to the rest of the players. He prayed to God before the meals. He thanked God for everything, even the trials. Wow! God received SO MUCH face time on primetime TV. Fantastic! I loved it. I was like someone watching the final minutes of the NBA final game. Sitting on the edge of my seat, just waiting for what Matt had to say next. He didn't win, but he was on every episode - and therefore, God was well represented on every episode of Survivor this season.
I'm not sure I'll even watch next season because I just can't imagine how this season could be topped. I am sure the devil has a plan to take the show back for himself and I do not really want to be a part of that. But this season - God was glorified! I love it!
