We tap, swipe, and click on our phones on average 2,617 times a day, extreme users more than 5,400.
–study by research firm Dscout
Instead of going to the phone, we should go to the Throne.
–Sheri E.
All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.
–Blaise Pascal, quote published in 1654
I’m not sure it’s any consolation that it was just as hard back in 1654…
Over lunch, a friend casually mentioned that her daughter (not a teenager, but a 30-something) often watches TV while working on her laptop and texting on her phone. Ten years ago, that image would’ve fried my synapses; now, dudes, I totally get it.
Because of my eye issues, I have become a “no TV or WiFi” borderline Luddite, and must strictly limit any screen time. Despite this (just my vision at stake here, folks!), I find it very difficult, to NOT pick up my phone. All. The. Time!
I use every trick in the book: leave it in another room, put it in a drawer, set to airplane mode, don’t bring on errands…every hack a podcast can throw my way…and still…in the back of my mind…twitch…twitch…twitch…
I have all the rational excuses…looking up a quote for the blog, checking the weather before a walk, text the person I’m praying for…then, suddenly…
I. Am. In…
Down the rabbit hole, that becomes a black hole…
black hole: (informal) a place where people or things, especially time, disappear without a trace
The Lord lobbed a “random thought that wasn’t at all random” into the gaping maw of my latest astrological suck-hole, and pierced me with this truth…
“The more accessible I am to the world and all that information, the less accessible I might be to others and my Lord.”
AKA “I’m so sorry, I’ll be with you in a sec, I just need to respond to this…”
When it comes to my walk/”live, love, and serve like Jesus” heart-set, my two biggest obstacles are complacency and distraction…and they are all too conveniently wrapped up in one neat little portable package. In order to surmount them, He has to be the priority.
Peter Drucker–“Show me your calendar, and I’ll show you your priorities.”
Ouch. Okay. Let’s look at the calendar…
How much time do I spend in the Book…versus on Facebook? How many moments do I mindfully pray…versus mindlessly play? Am I really seeking His Presence…or am I “partially present” as I shoehorn Him in between sessions of YouTube and my newsfeed?
We (and our phones) meet with friends (and their phones)…a story played out in coffee houses, restaurants, living rooms, gatherings of every kind…world wide.
When I meet with Him, I can’t have my phone on the table…not even face down, on silent.
Jeremiah 29:12-13–Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with ALL YOUR HEART.
Alexa, stop.
I’m talking to my Father right now.