I stood with a group of parents watching in uncomfortable silence as we witnessed a coach trying to get the attention of one of his players. The team was on a break between games, and several girls had their AirPods in their ears and their eyes glued to their cell phones. While many parents are familiar with the challenges of trying to get through to a child who is engrossed in their phone, it brings a new level of discomfort to watch a coach struggle to get through to one of his team members.
It is easy to roll our eyes and make snide comments about “teens and their phones.” And yet, how uncommon is it for an adult to be scrolling through emails instead of focusing on a spouse? How often does a customer standing in line have to be tapped on the shoulder by a stranger because they haven’t noticed a new checkout lane has opened in front of them? How many times are we too busy listening to a podcast, responding to a chatgroup, or checking a delivery status to pay attention to the person right in front of us?
We equate our cell phones with connection. My phone allows me to easily keep in contact with my long-distance children, parents, and dear friends. However, it simultaneously can prevent me from connecting with the people who reside under my own roof.
My cell phone also allows me to listen to excellent Biblical teaching through podcasts, archived sermons, and audiobooks. It provides instant access to worshipful songs of praise. It provides a means for listening to the word of God read straight from Scripture in my Bible app. And it also prevents me from creating a quiet, undistracted space in which I am open to hearing and responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
How many times have I longed to hear from God, and then been too distracted to hear the words He is trying to speak to me through the voices of my family? Or the voice of the person sitting next to me in the waiting room? Or the person behind me in line?
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I am plugged in to my phone instead of open to hearing your voice. Help me to see the moments when I can be following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and connecting with those around me. Amen
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Thank you for the wake-up call regarding our devices! Romans 12:2 certainly speaks to this. Wow! I’m convicted. Now to break the habit in the company of others……
It can be challenging to break the habit of reaching for the phone. I have a lot of work to do on that!
And how often do we CHOOSE to fill our lives with distractions to avoid being obedient in doing what He is calling us to do? Great questions to ponder as we try to discern what He’s asking of us for next steps!
Good point, Pat! And I imagine sometimes we fill up our time with GOOD things that may serve as distractions from God’s BEST.
Such a good reminder! I’ve been guilty of allowing the distraction of my phone to keep me from enjoying the moment I’m in…or just to fill time as I wait. I’ve also been guilty of judging others when I see that they aren’t paying attention and don’t know it’s their turn in line or when they almost run into me crossing the street because they’re looking down at their phone. Today I was waiting for a blood draw at the lab and my first instinct was to pull out my phone, but I decided to just try to notice everything in the room…the magazines, the boxes of gloves, the posted notices, the equipment. Nothing there made any significant or meaningful impact on me except that I was aware that I was practicing mindfulness and it felt good. I’m pondering what to give up for Lent…not something I’ve been in the practice of doing, but thinking it would be a good discipline. Maybe having better parameters on my use of technology and giving up the constant checking would help me focus better on the Lord and make my ears more attuned to hear His voice.
You’re a gifted writer, Kristen!
Thank you, Jackie! I spent some time in a clinic exam room yesterday. This was the very week I posted these thoughts, and yet I found myself at a loss because there were signs posted all over the room that cell phones were not allowed. I definitely needed some distraction at that moment, but my time was much better spent in prayer rather than scrolling through my phone. 🙂
My professor commented at the end of our first day of class this semester on how amazed he was that we weren’t on our phones at all in class… adults in a doctoral program! Pretty crazy that he noticed and felt like that was an accomplishment worthy of recognition.
For lent I’m giving up entertainment on technology before bed so that I can focus more on spending time with God. Thanks for the reminder of how important it is!
I have the impression that many professional adults spend meetings multitasking on their phones while simultaneously conducting business. So I can see why your professor was impressed! Lent is such a good time for weaning ourselves away from the distractions that keep us from focusing on Christ. Love you!
My heart and mind wander so frequently when I have my phone in front of me while doing my Bible study! I need to be more diligent to keep the digital away while the Bible is in front. Thanks for this.
We know better don’t we? But we still do it. I swear I could have run through the airport naked last week and no one would have noticed. And there is so much to see and hear. Thanks for the reminder. You are gifted
You’re so funny, Kate! And you’re right, there is so much to do and see! ❤️
I am so proud of you and impressed by your blog and writing. You truly inspire me to be a better person. I’m looking forward to your posts when I peruse my social media platforms. Although it it sad that that’s how I’m getting my inspiration, it does allow me to stop and reflect and use my phone to look up the quotes and “dig a little deeper”.
Oh wow, Mariann. That means so much to me! Love you!