Articles
Swapping a Phone for a Bible
What would your life look like if you swapped your phone with your Bible? There was an interesting video, recently, that tried to depict this very thought. In-stead of waking up and scrolling through Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms he reached over and grabbed his Bible. Instead of watching a vid-eo while eating breakfast he was enter-tained with the Scriptures. Instead of check-ing notifications while brushing his teeth he was reading the gospel.
Honestly, this struck me! For someone who spends much time preaching that the Christian’s “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20-21) I sure can get distracted with things that would imply my “citizenship” is on earth.
Of course, phones aren’t the only distrac-tion. How many people let their narrative be shaped by podcasts, politics, and trendy philosophies that they find interesting but leave God’s Word as mere supplement to those thoughts? How many others focus so much time and energy on education, occu-pation, or financial stability just to possibly “get around” to the spiritual matters? How many get sucked into spiritual inactivity due to the never-ending stream of recreational entertainment (shows, movies, video games, internet, etc.)?
Certainly, none of these things are inherently sinful, but they become such when what is described above becomes reality — i.e. a prioritized focus on earthly matters over heavenly ones.
I enjoy playing chess on my phone, watching shows, and learn-ing from podcasts! However, when I think about how much time I have given to those things in contrast to godly things, frankly, I’m ashamed.
Let’s Do A Mental Exercise Pick one thing that you do every day (i.e. T.V., video games, phone, favorite hobby, education, exercise) and calculate (in hours) how much time you spend on that one thing throughout one week. Then, do the same with your Bible reading throughout one week. Now, compare how much time you spent on each and note which one gets the most attention. Unfortunately, it’s the former that wins a lot of the time.
Passively Distracted OR Actively Mindful?
Understandably, there are times where we get innocently dis-tracted, but when it becomes a normal, recurring way of life that’s a serious problem. That much is certain, because our minds are supposed to be “set on the things above, not on the things of this earth” (Col. 3:2).
Though this is not to say that the person who’s spending 40 hours a week at work is distracted. We all have responsibilities; we all have jobs. But isn’t it true that we can make that 40 hour work week more of a priority than our responsibilities and jobs for God?
In fact, even though we have jobs to do, we never let certain things go undone that we deem important. Even after a long hard day we find the time to brush our teeth, feed our pets, do home-work, read a book, spend quality time with family, etc. Why? Because it’s too important to us for it to be left undone. The question is: Do I view God’s Word and will as something that cannot go undone to-day?
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17)
This is the answer: (1) The days are evil; don’t be absent-minded. Once we recognize that precious time is slipping away (for my kids, my spouse, me) it breaks us out of unmindful inactivity. It’s a lot harder to be sucked into the distraction of my phone when I realize that precious time is slipping away from me and those I care for.
(2) Understanding the will of the Lord means active mindfulness. I know it’s hard when all we want to do is shut off our brains, but that is exactly what the devil is counting on. Being passive with our atten-tion means anything can grab it. In fact, this is more strenuous and tiresome than being active in our thinking!
How so? Well, when we don’t dwell on godly things what else is left for us but anxiety and doubt. On the other hand, Paul says that those who give thoughtful consideration to God and the things that reflect Him are the ones who will have “the peace of God, which sur-passes all comprehension” (Phil. 4:6-9).
