In 1953 the first issue of TV Guide was published.

About how much time do you spend watching television each day? Most Americans spend a bunch. And when you aren’t sure what’s on, do you channel surf with the remote, or do you check out a schedule?

Many people arrange their lives around the TV schedule. In fact, TV Guide is one of the nation’s most-read magazines, with a circulation of about 9 million.

Television has become a huge part of our lives. And, according to people who study these things, it has changed us in two very significant areas.

First, many of us have become “couch potatoes.” We sit or lie around and watch, instead of being active, moving around, going outside, and playing sports. As you might expect, this has led to more and more people being overweight and out of shape. We’re idle.

The other big change involves our expectations, what we want out of life. The products we see advertised on TV look so good. And the TV stars are beautiful and talented and seem extremely happy. So these days, everyone seems to want to be a celebrity. All the “reality” shows add to this, giving certain individuals a few hours on prime time. “American Idol” promises fame and fortune to each winner.

We can feel plain and ordinary when we compare ourselves to television personalities. We may even think, “What can I do? I don’t have those looks and abilities. I’m a nobody, not a star.”

When that feeling hits, review today’s featured verse. Paul wrote that God uses ordinary people. In fact, most of the early believers were not wise, powerful, or wealthy in the world’s eyes. Yet, to God they were important, and they changed the world!

So forget those American idols and listen to God. Only his opinion of you matters.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you (1 Corinthians 1:26).

To Do

Take a vacation from TV. For one day, a couple of days, or if you’re really courageous, a week watch no television. Ask your parents to help you stick to this decision.

Also on this day . . .

This is National Find-A-Rainbow Day.

1860—The Pony Express began delivering mail.

1868—An Hawaiian surfed on the highest wave ever, a 50-foot tidal wave.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.