So, I was talking to a friend the other day about a conversation I had on Facebook. Well, technically it wasn't a conversation because the whole dialogue consisted of movie quotes, from one movie. You've probably noticed this before by one of your friends or maybe you participated in the activity yourself. The movie was Dumb and Dumber. A film classic I know. The astounding part was that this dialogue from about 4-5 guys lasted about two days or so. It could have gone on longer but thankfully it ended. My friend and I were marveling at the ease to which we remembered quotes from a movie but have difficulty remembering other things that would be far more useful like scripture. What makes it so easy to remember movie quotes or songs that we listen to. Here are some ideas I have on the issue.
1. Emotional link - Movies and songs usually have some impact on our emotions. Dumb and Dumber makes me laugh. Songs can get me excited, relaxed, contemplative, etc... So whats the deal. Scripture can do all of those things. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength", now tell me that shouldn't impact your emotions and get you fired up. God's Word is filled with powerful text that should be filling our emotional batteries.
2. Repetition - This one is easy. We watch movies we love multiple times usually. We get CD's in our car or downloaded on our phones and listen to them while we're driving, exercising, doing housework, etc... It still works students. Repetition, repetition, repetition helps you remember things. Why don't I remember some of the scriptures that I want to memorize? I'm not reading them often enough, meditating on his Word, writing it down, speaking it. That's why.
3. Media and word of mouth - Obviously the media has loads of cash and the means to get their product name (movies or song) out there. Then people buy in to it and spread the word about their new song or movie that they just saw. They liked it and want to share it with others. They tweet it, facebook it, talk about it at parties. I'm not saying every word out of our mouth has to be scriptural but I think there is something to be said for sharing what God has been speaking to you about in his Word. The only way to have that opportunity is to be spending quality time there and listening to Him speak. When He speaks to you tell people about it. I always find it encouraging to here what God is saying to other people and how He is moving.
These are just some simple observations that I personally have been guilty of and probably some others have been too. The bottom line is God wants us to hide his Word in our hearts and I need to have more arrows in my quiver when facing off with Satan. There is no way I should get more emotional (in all its forms) from a song or a movie than from God's Word. I have to be proactive to make sure I am taking extra time to read and meditate on God's Word beyond my daily reading to be able to recall specific scriptures in times of need. I need to share with others. As Barney says, "Sharing is caring and it can be fun". (oh that's bad)
