Focus your eyes straight ahead; keep your gaze on what is in front of you.
Proverbs 4:25 (CEB)
In an era of distraction that can be held right in the palm of your hand, how do you keep your eyes and heart focused on what God is putting right in front of your face?
Here are three steps to get you started:
- Put Your Phone Down
I get it. Everything is on your phone now. Don’t get me wrong; I love how much my phone can do for me. However, it’s the greatest distraction we’re facing today. It focuses our attention on a small screen, instead of seeing the larger world around us–the people around us.
If you have an iPhone, you’ve likely seen the “Screen Time” notification that pops up weekly to tell you the number of hours per day that you’ve spent on your phone and if your percentage of screen time has gone up or down. It’s a very convicting notification! It should always be our goal to see the Screen Time percentage go down each week.
- Open Up a Physical Bible
I know that many people use Bible apps on their phone. There are great studies and plans offered in the apps and it’s easier to carry around than a big book. But there’s something about holding physical pages in your hand that tell stories of God’s glory on display. There’s also less chance of an email or text popping up to distract you.
Physically underlining Scripture and jotting down notes in your Bible, or in a journal, can help your brain retain the information you’re reading. When you retain the information, you can more easily put it into practice as you face people and circumstances throughout your day.
- Engage In-Person with People Daily
It’s easy to walk through a store or go to work on autopilot. It’s a powerful choice to step out of the everyday norms and begin engaging fully with people. God wants to use you in the lives of the people right in front of you.
God wants to direct you to the people who need you most on any given day. He wants to use you as a beacon of hope for those around you, but you have to notice His nudge first. The only way to notice is to keep your gaze focused on Him.
So look up from your phone, start new conversations and make some really awkward eye contact…I’m just kidding. Don’t make it weird. (;
It takes a lot of willpower to start pushing away the distractions in our lives, but even when we start small, we begin to clearly see what our Heavenly Father can do in us and through us. Keep your eyes up. You won’t regret it.
Two Questions:
- What small goals can you set to put your phone down more this week?
- What person(s) do you see daily (spouse, coworker, barista, etc.) who you can engage with more fully?
Inspiring call to action. Thanks, Pastor Dan!
That thing in your hand can not only be a distraction, but if it has become the most important thing in your life you have lost your focus on God. I get it, some people need to have a smart phone for their work. But on a daily basis, it’s not even needed. I can be proof to you that someone can turn it off and not even get it out and turn it on unless I am away from home and need to make a phone call. It’s not even a camera for me, I have a camera for that. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace. Those are strong words, and more than just a song.