Microsoft researcher Linda Stone described the impact of our screens this way: “Continuous, partial attention is the new normal.” It's just how we live now. We accept it in ourselves, and we accept it from one another. We have settled for this continuous state of partial attention in our relationships with one another. We are too distracted with our distractions to think about how distracted we've become.
So, which is longer for you: your prayer list or your to-do list? It becomes so easy for us to be distracted by our distractions, instead of thinking about what is eternal and what really matters. Even after reading this, we have a tendency to turn on the TV or we get out our phones, and we start thinking about all the pressures of today and tomorrow. Challenge yourself to sit and think about eternity and how long forever is because it's a really long time. Consider your life and ask: Are you giving yourself to what is best? What is eternal? What will last forever?
Prioritizing what is best might require setting some new boundaries and asking for some help and accountability with the people around you. We also need to pray to God to help us to schedule and prioritize connection with him above anything and everything else no matter what. We want to sit at the feet of Jesus more than anything else in life. We want to love him and know his love more than anything else in life. We want be close to him.
Reflection/Discussion Question: What distraction(s) do you need to eliminate from your life to spend more time with Jesus?
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