Is God Competing for Your Attention?
Are We Giving Our Phones More Time Than Our Heavenly Father? Let me be the first to admit, GUILTY as CHARGED!
Scripture Focus:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (KJV)
Who Gets Your Attention First?
Let me ask you a question. When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you reach for?
Is it your Bible, or is it your phone? It is easy in this day and age to be consumed by everything else around us. I often think of “simpler” times when they did not have all of the convenience of technology at their disposal. Families actually had “family” time and communicated with each other and built meaningful relationships with one another.
Before our feet even hit the floor, many of us have already checked our messages, scrolled through Facebook, read emails, or caught up on the latest news.
Yet somehow, when it comes to spending time with God, we often say, “I just don’t have enough time.”
Maybe the problem isn’t that we don’t have enough time. Maybe it’s how we’re choosing to spend it.
When Distractions Take God’s Place
Think about it. The God who created us, loves us, and sent His Son to die for us is often competing for our attention with a device we carry in our pockets.
Our phones buzz, and we immediately respond. A notification appears, and we stop what we’re doing to look.
But do we respond with that same urgency when it comes to prayer or reading God’s Word?
There’s nothing wrong with technology. It can be a wonderful tool. But even good things can become distractions when they begin taking priority over our relationship with God. It is the same in our relationship with one another, or our chosen partner! Sometimes you can feel you are just competing with a device for the attention we desire from our spouses, or spouse-to-be.
In Luke 10:38–42, Martha was so busy serving that she missed the opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Mary, however, chose to spend that time with Him.
Jesus reminded Martha that Mary had chosen what was most important.
How often are we like Martha, so busy with everything else that we neglect the One who matters most?
Is God Getting Our Leftover Time?
Most smartphones can tell us exactly how many hours we spend looking at our screens each day.
Imagine if we devoted even a fraction of that time to prayer, reading Scripture, or simply being still before God.
Jesus said:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
Notice He said first, not after we’ve checked our messages, finished scrolling, or watched one more video.
God doesn’t want to be an afterthought in our lives. He wants a daily relationship with us.
A Simple Challenge
Before reaching for your phone in the morning, spend a few minutes with God. Read a passage of Scripture, pray, or simply thank Him for another day. Same applies to the person you have devoted your life to. Just like the old days, what would it be like if you just had an uninterrupted conversation about anything without any distractions around you. No TV, no phones, just you and your life-partner just wanting to talk with one another. I believe it could strengthen relationships!
Also, put your devices aside for a little while and give God your undivided attention. I believe you will also find that will strengthen your relationship with Him as well. Not because you’re obligated to do that, but because you love Him enough and want to grow closer to Him. The same with your partner in life! If you chose to grow closer to him or her, put the things that are a distraction aside and focus on one another.
Final Thoughts
One day, I doubt we’ll wish we had spent more time on Facebook, watched more videos, or answered more text messages. I am certainly not against technology. I am in that field and have grown with every stage of it! I am as guilty as can be letting things take away from things that matter most in my life!
But we may very well wish we had spent more time with God and each other when it is all said and done!
Our phones aren’t the enemy, but anything that consistently takes priority over our relationship with the Lord or others that matter in our lives deserves a closer look.
Don’t let a device that fits in your hand become more important than the Savior who holds your life in His hands.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for allowing the distractions of this world to take time and attention away from You or my family! Help me slow down, put aside the things that don’t really matter, and make spending time with You a priority. Teach me to seek You first each day and to give You more than just my leftover time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Food for thought…
If you spent as much time with God or your family as you do on your phone, how different would your relationship with Him be or your family? That is one thing I reflect back on before the devices and technology were available. How different things were when it came to our family and spending time with God.