From the time we get up to the time we go to bed, we are inundated with sounds, voices, music, words, phone calls, texts, social media notifications and many other forms of communication and technology. I am every thankful I live in a technological age rather than a time when they had to wait for the next train to come through town! How far we have come even in the last thirty years! But if we are not consciously aware of how distracting our phones, computers, and television are, we can miss life going on right in front of us. Are we so busy tweeting and posting each event that we are missing the moments we can just enjoy?
Sometimes I long for the days before cell phones and social media. Remember the days of families sitting around the dining room table or the front porch with NO phones? When we actually focused on and engaged in verbal conversation? When we looked each other in the eye and gave each other our undivided attention? Have we become addicted to our phones? Be honest. Have you ever panicked when you realized you couldn’t find your phone or you left it at home? Have you ever driven home to get it – even if it meant being late for an appointment? I do totally understand the safety issue, especially for women, to have a phone with us. But has it become an absolute necessity every moment of the day? When I hear of young children dying tragically because someone left them in a hot car, I always say if they’d left their phone in the back seat with the child, the child would likely still be alive.
If we allow technology to keep us from being present in the moment, we will miss some important times in our lives. Can you imagine what it would have been like if Jesus had started His public ministry in our day? The disciples might have been busy tweeting, posting, and hashtagging (is that an official word yet?) everything that was happening. Instead of being present in the moment and enjoying intimacy with Jesus, they would be taking photos and selfies. The Pharisees would have also been posting, but they would have been questioning and criticizing everything Jesus did that went contrary to their religious traditions.
It is vital that we take times away from all forms of technology and simply spend time with Jesus. There were times Jesus went away by Himself to the mountain to pray, but other times He told the disciples to come aside to a lonely place. Even when Jesus was in the Garden, wrestling with the knowledge of the suffering He was getting ready to endure, the disciples fell asleep. Most likely today, they would have been scrolling social media or texting when He had asked them to pray.
Has it been a while since you’ve heard Him speak to your heart? When was the last time you spent extended time with Him without your phone near you? The YouVersion app is wonderful and I use it regularly, but sometimes it can be tempting to access other apps on the phone if it’s right there in our hand. It may be good to sometimes use a Bible and leave your phone aside so there will not be as much temptation to get distracted.
On one occasion, the apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. They had been busy ministering to others. Jesus said, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31) He wanted them to come away from all distractions so they could rest and be refreshed. We need to do the same. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
I challenge each of us to quiet the noise and spend some undistracted time with Jesus. Spend some family together without your phones available. Be in the moment. Cherish times with those you love. If you have children at home, are you engaging with them and focusing on the time you have with them? Trust me, they really do grow up very quickly. You will never regret time and attention you gave your children, spouse, family, and friends.
