Living Well In A Technology Centered World Pt 1: Rejecting Distractions

*Author’s Note:

This post is a 3 part miniseries over the course of several weeks.

In the last couple decades, we have entered into the vast world of technology and although some time has passed since the first iPhone came out, we as humans (and as Christians) are still learning how to live in and with technology.

We are just learning how to use these incredible, life changing technologies to carry out the mission that the Lord has given us, which is to spread the Word and to live in such a way that brings glory and honor to His kingdom.

These new advancements and technologies can be used for good, but they can also be used for horrible evils.

The Bible is a guidebook for life and it often tells us that we need to put on and off.  It tells us habits, patterns, and behaviors that need to be stopped and taken a look at as well as the new habits, patterns, and behaviors that we need to begin.

Unfortunately, with the arrival of technology we have developed some bad habits, and for some, even addictions. Over the course of several weeks, I will be addressing the top three habits, behaviors, and patterns, that we as Christians, living in a technological world, need to stop. Today, for our first topic, I am going to confront perhaps the number one issue among device users —distractions.

 

Rejecting Distractions.

It is no secret that the digital world brings with it a whole new set of distractions that takes our focus off of God and the work that needs to be done for His kingdom. Our tech lives seem to derive around interruptions as each new generation of computers, iPads, iPhones, and Kindles are equipped to steal our attention in any way they can. Their buzzing, chirping, flashing and beeping are doing whatever they can to embezzle our time.

We have trained ourselves to obey their robotic demands and in the wise words of Tim Challies, “If we need to respond to our phones (or devices) every time they beep or buzz, do we own them, or do they own us?”

In the age of Technology, I am concerned that we are becoming people who are addicted to distractions. We enjoy these little seemingly harmless interruptions and almost come to depend on them, but at what cost?

As Christians, we are obligated to grow in wisdom and spiritual maturity, but these things come with effort. Information is easy as we are surrounded by it constantly, but true wisdom comes by way of concentration and careful meditation of the Word of God and by applying that information to our daily lives.

How can we successfully meditate on the Word if we are constantly bombarded and distracted by the ping of a new text message or Facebook alert?

The consistent call of the Bible is to be people who ponder the Word of God, who ponder the constantly changing world around us, and who are always growing in wisdom. We can only do this when we break up with our distractions and choose instead to focus on God.

So, dear friend, put off your distractions and put on concentration. Control your devices so that they do not control you.

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Click here to read my article on Secondly Magazine where I give you practical advice for a distraction free devotional time.