Survivor

I am a Survivor fan (actually, I enjoy most reality competition shows). I've watched Survivor every season since it started 26 seasons ago! Spoiler alert...if you're a fan and haven't watched last night's episode, stop reading. If you saw it or don't care, please continue.

All day, well on and off all day, I have thought about Brandon's meltdown. I was so mad at him last night, and I continued to slander him in my mind today. How could a guy who:

1. Had the opportunity of a lifetime, blow it through stupidity?
2. Had such a hard time on the first show come back and blow his second chance, not learning any lessons from the first time?
3. Claims to be a born-again Christian use such awful language and totally lose his cool, hurting the whole tribe in the process of his rant? What kind of testimony is that!?

So, this was my thought pattern for about 22 hours. Then, I was driving home from work, thinking about it again. I asked God why I was consumed with Survivor and Brandon in such a way. In that still small voice of His, I believe He said, "Because I have some lessons for you to learn from this, Susan."

Lessons from Survivor:

• God continually gives us second (and third and fourth...) chances when we make stupid choices. In His incredible grace, He forgives us and remembers no more.
• How many times have I read about the stupid Israelites in the desert and been frustrated at their lack of faith after God proved Himself faithful time and time again? Too many, I'm afraid.
• What do the words I say, the things I do say about me and my relationship to Christ? Is my testimony one that is a shining light or hummm, do people wonder if I am a believer or not? What about my actions behind closed doors? Am I showing my kids Jesus through my love, patience, goodness, faith, faithfulness, etc...?

That's it. I'm going to pray for Brandon. He is a real person. I'm not naive enough to know that there is drama, some acting, some creative editing, etc..., but those people that I peek in on each week are real people...real people who walk with Jesus, need Him, need His grace and forgiveness and need people to love them. I worry for Brandon's future. I'm going to pray for him.

Next post: Hopefully will not be coming in 8 months, but I am thinking about nursery rhymes and rocks...stay tuned.