06 Mar I am addicted!

Addiction is not bad; if we are addicted to God, all the time

Addiction is no longer an unknown word; but we only think about it in lines of pornography, alcohol and some illegal drugs. Dictionary meaning for the word addiction defines as ‘the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice’.

Off late many of us are being enslaved to wasting time. In other words, in many ways we let the world steal our time, keeping us addicted to the world. God created this world and everything for us so that we would love him and spend more time with him. Every day, world is devising new creative ways to steal our time.

I work for a multinational company. The term “No time” is the most heard all around this place. Our company takes a lot of efforts to convince their employees that they love and care for them. They offer pleasing work environment, free transport facilities, cafeteria with many food stalls, gym, indoor games, etc. Their underlying motive is to tempt us to stay long hours in office. Though it is said to be free offer, the reality is that it is the money from the profit earned from our tireless efforts.

In addition, the money given as promotion, appraisals, awards, etc., are given as only a well devised mechanism to make us work more, a little beyond our own capacity. With peer pressure to prove ourselves, many a time we turn out to be workaholics and being work conscious even after we go back home. Mentally stressed out; we forget the concept of free time. Beyond this, when we have some free time, the most sought relaxation is television or social engagement.

Recently I read an article on the success story of current trending game ‘Pokémon Go’. I was shocked to read that the creator of the game John Hanke took 20 years for this inception which gave him an overnight success. It broke all the records with 10 million+ downloads in the first week, exceeding Twitter in daily active users, and with higher average user time than Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and WhatsApp. Now, millions of people all over the world are addicted to it and roaming around in the streets, catching Pikachu; the game character. Over time, people in the thought of enjoying the game fail to realize that they are simply wasting their time.

Many of us often ask excuses to God that we don’t have time to spend with Him and for His work. Even in my own life, I used to be devoting time attending church service, EGF and quiet time regularly; however, at one point of time I realized that I wasn’t giving my best. I just have been doing it as a regular practice. Suddenly I had this question; “Can I live a life of Christ conscious all the time?” I had also been to the other extreme of neglecting my friends and being part of only believers’ fellowship.

God spoke to me through Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV) “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”.

Though I had read this passage many times before, this time there was a new understanding of how to balance work time. I related and applied this passage to my work life. I understood that God is my ultimate boss; to whom I am accountable. I did not feel the importance to please my supervisors; I did not spend extra hours except under any critical situations; I was always cautious that I was reporting to Christ, my Boss. Even when I had heavy workload, I felt the hand of God helping me to complete them and get out on time.

On the other hand, I develped having the consciousness that God is watching me all the time; hence I have to use my working hours productively without wasting any time. Also I have made it a point to be with students and spend time with them in cells and camps. I am sure that my heavenly Boss was aware of the ratings I deserved and would give me my promotion at the right time. I am confident that God would meet my every need, though I do not secure the top ratings or promotions every time. I desire to serve Him faithfully. Being Christ-conscious in the workplace is helping me to set a model among my colleagues.

I also learnt that this exercise requires sacrifice. Jesus Christ sacrificed even His life to save us. The scene of the selfless love on the cross, motivates me not to please this world. I would need a lifetime to understand the height, width, length and depth of Christ’s love; hence, in the short span I live, I wish to live for Him to my fullest ability. He never compels; but I have decided to serve Him wholeheartedly.

Friends, being Christ-conscious enables us to be not of this world; it helps us God’s plan in our lives. Remember; 1 John 2:15 (NLT) “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of father in you”

Titus Azariah
The author gradutaed from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) and currently working in an MNC in Chennai. He is part of Tambaram EGF and takes care of MIT fellowship.