Distractions! Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines
distraction as a thing that prevents
someone from giving full attention to something else; having one’s attention
drawn away. Diversion, interruption, interference.
Not all worldly pleasures and activities are bad in themselves. Some are appealing for the satisfaction
and sense of accomplishment they give to our lives.
However, almost anything becomes a distraction for believers that steal time
and energy we ought to be using in pursuit of our Christian calling to spend time with GOD.
Too much time devoted to careers, relationships, hobbies,
and sometimes even our families can become that sort of distraction.
But the most challenging and deceptive thief of our time and
energy is social media sites!
We devote way too much time to social media.
The world at large is in serious trouble when technology and media
industry experts and executives, whose bread and butter depend on our love
affair with social media, are publicly expressing concern.
“I
think that, for sure, technology has addictive qualities that we have to
address, and that product designers are working to make those products more
addictive, and we need to rein that back as much as possible,” ~ Salesforce
(B2B cloud computing company) chief executive Marc Benioff.
“I
have been pushing Facebook to sacrifice near term profits. The reason? I want
them to address the harm the platform has caused through addiction and exploitation
by bad actors.” ~ A major Tech Investor
in Facebook.
A recent AdWeek
report, Social Media Addiction: Statistics & Trends states in part “…18 percent of social media users can’t go a
few hours without checking Facebook, and 28 percent of iPhone users check their
Twitter feed before getting up in the morning.”
The fact is that believers too are among the
addicted but the fall out we suffer is a diminished relationship
with our Father. We can measure our love for Him by the amount of time and attention we give to Him.
Pastor and teacher John Piper says it this way, “Our attention often runs to what’s important to us. So distraction can
reveal what we love.”
If our time on social media exceeds time spent in prayer,
bible study, private worship, meditation, and etc., then GOD is not our
first love.
Since GOD commands that He alone can and always must
have first place in our lives, we must fight against anything that threatens to
usurp that place. That is, if He was ever first!
“You
shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus
20:3
To
be continued…
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOU are the Sovereign and All Knowing
GOD whose will and desire for us are beyond what we can ever know. Forgive us
for not trusting YOU and choosing to believe the devil’s lies that ensnare us
in past-times that draw us away from YOU. Remind us that there will always be distractions
in our lives but YOU have given us the spiritual fruit of self-control to help
us use our time wisely and enjoy all of YOUR goodness, enduring love and
faithfulness. Dominion, all power and all glory belong to YOU for
ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ
our LORD. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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