For many years, 2 Peter 1:3 has been one of my favorite verses.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
I love knowing that God isn’t stingy. He offers a victorious life. He prepares a banquet to supply my soul’s nutritional needs.
But our enemy is enticing us with fake food. He tries to tell us to feed our emotional needs with likes and friends. We can be so busy and distracted that we fail to notice that we’ve lost our hunger for God and our soul is starving. We can keep our phones within constant reach so we are never bored. But, according to statistics, people today are becoming more lonely and depressed—and those stats were before the isolation brought on by the coronovirus. We fill our soul needs with more entertainment, more games, more friends, more time on the screen, only to become more empty.
“True freedom from the bondage of technology comes not mainly from throwing away the smartphone, but from filling the void with the glories of Jesus that you are trying to fill with the pleasures of the device.” John Piper from 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You
Today’s challenge: For the coming week, when you pick up your phone, ask yourself “Why am I picking this up? What triggered me to pick up my phone? What emotion do I feel? What do I hope to gain from picking this up?
Your words are so true, I see so many who are always looking for the next bit of entertainment but they are still empty. It can be hard not to be sucked into their world. I admit I need to connect with God more, I am trying.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, Psalm 101:3 struck me powerfully, and I think on it often: "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless." It's a good prompt for thought when navigating the digital world. At times I find myself checking my phone hoping for a text or an email to give me a feeling of significance to someone else, to bring me out of where I am right now - a signal of discontent and grumbling. "Worthless" is a strong word, but it is the right word for distractions thoughtlessly indulged that fuel discontent and hinder good work, especially the patient, loving attention that little children constantly need. To John Piper's quote, I say amen! We must model to our families joyful faithfulness to the work God has placed right in front of us, embracing His leading and providence, not restlessness and constant distraction in the search for something "more." We need, as Thomas Chalmers so perfectly wrote, "the expulsive power of a new affection." I pray for it often. Thank you for this series, Gina. I look forward to your insights!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to doing this challenge. This is something I really struggle with, though also on the computer. Chris W.
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