‘TV Reality Shows . . . Nothing New under the Sun’

Ecclesiastes 1: 9 ' . . . so there is nothing new under the sun.'

By now, I don’t believe there’s a person out there who doesn’t recognize the name of the very famous TV show ‘Survivor’. One internet search claims that it ‘launched a cultural phenomenon’ – that is to say that it is claimed to be the BEGINNING of an extraordinary example of the accepted values of a society (well, if you put all those definitions together).

The premise of 'Survivor':
Basically, 16 strangers are REMOVED from the comforts of their everyday life to ENDURE hardships – hardships that ultimately make them STRONGER PEOPLE - for a period of time (oddly enough almost 40 days), risking JUDGEMENT in an effort to RECEIVE the coveted REWARD at the end of their ‘MISSION’ Trip.

Jesus says to give up the comforts of our life and endure hardships for a time (ultimately refining us) in order to have life and life more abundantly.

Another one . . . 'the Amazing Race’.

The Premise of this show:
Basically, a group of 11 people are to PARTNER with one (who will help them) as they are WILLINGLY manipulated through a series of journeys which have them leaving behind the comforts of their life to SEEK CLUES and greater understanding of the PATH they are to take in an effort to receive the coveted REWARD at the end of their ‘mission’ trip.

Paul says in Hebrews 12: ‘ . . . to run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus . . .’

Another one . . . “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”

The premise of this show:
This one’s a bit different – a take on helping the home-LESS where one deserving family has their DISTRAUGHT home LEVELED, and another amazing home is built with the finest ingredients by the hands of MASTER CARPENTERS . . . all done in seven (7) days.

In all cases – and trust me when I say that I could name many more – but, in all cases – the program viewer SITS on the sidelines week after week for the duration of the show and literally WATCHES as others actively participate in the desired mission. Many cheer on favorite contestants and most CRY several times during the course of ‘Makeover’, many of us just needing to ‘FEEL’ again.

ALL the contestants – not just the winners – usually GAIN so much for merely having experienced the mission.

Many who engage in these shows regularly, do so to simply be a PART of something BIGGER than themselves – bigger than their everyday routine allows.

OH . . . if only they knew . . .

My prayer is that you will CHOOSE to get into the REAL game of life . . . look a little deeper . . . seek a little further . . .