Hallmark vs Jesus

1 John 5:21
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

I like to think I put God first in all I do. I try not to let things get in the way of my walk with God and I do my best to put Him first.
But lately, I have found myself wavering from this resolve. An idol has crept into my life without me realizing it.

That’s the things with idols, we don’t set out for them to be idols, but somehow they capture our attention, and before we know it we have elevated these things above God. And this is exactly what happened to me.

Hallmark.
Hallmark had become my idol.

I love Christmas. In fact, I think it is my primary love language!
And with Christmas comes Christmas movies.
Hallmark Christmas movies to be exact.

I love them!
The cheesy, predictable storylines have me glued to the screen as the helpless girl falls for the cute guy, all the while snow is falling and the Christmas tunes are playing in their beautifully decorated homes. I mean, who wouldn’t love that right?

But lately, I have found myself turning to Hallmark movies before I turn to God. (Ouch!)
One of my downtime activities is to spend time at my desk either diamond painting or Bible journaling. Both of these fill my soul and take up no brain space which is just perfect. Sometimes I listen to worship while doing it, but more often than not, I will watch something on my iPad.

Up until the last month or so it has been sermons from my favorite preachers. I sit and color and “Amen” out loud as they preach the word of God.
But in the last couple of weeks, not so much. My go-to has been Hallmark movies!
I watch the cheesiness in all its glory as I sit and take time out.

Now there is nothing wrong with Hallmark movies.
But I knew something wasn’t right for me when I realized I had missed 3 weeks’ worth of teaching from my favorite online preacher. Instead of putting on a sermon I had gone straight for the Hallmark movie.

It’s my downtime so it’s okay.
It’s not hurting anyone.
Surely I can spend my time how I like?
They make me happy!

At the end of the day I could justify it all I wanted but God ever so gently whispered to me “Hey honey, have you forgotten about the commitment you made to me?”

There was no smiting, no bolt of lightning, no thunderous voice condemning me, and no cloak of shame that hung over me. Just a gentle whisper reminding me of the commitment I had made recently to be more intentional with my time. And yes, that included my downtime!

I love watching a sermon in the middle of the afternoon as a refresher and a reminder that God is in all of my day, not just the first hour!

But somehow Hallmark had wangled its way in and became my go-to without a second thought. It’s scary how easily things can creep into my life and distract me without me realizing it! (Because it’s all just harmless right?)

Just because something is not blatantly sinful doesn’t mean it can’t become an idol!

So I repented and thanked God for giving me a gentle reminder.
I have caught up on all my missed sermons (not out of duty or obligation, but because I actually wanted to!) and I feel like I’m back on track with my commitment.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still watch Hallmark movies…..I love them!
But what I’m not doing, is allowing them to be elevated above God in my priorities.