While scrolling Facebook, an article about ditching the phone caught my attention. At the retreat this past weekend the theme was Focus, and we talked a great deal about where our focus is placed and how to cut out distractions (obviously something I am still working on since I found the article while on Facebook). I guess with that thought still fresh on my mind I was drawn even more to the title of the article, so I decided to read on.
As I read about this man’s journey to break his addiction to his phone, there was a line that jumped out and grabbed me! The woman he had hired to coach him through his technology detox said, “Your life is what you pay attention to.” Now the quote continued on to say she didn’t care what that focus was as long as someone was making a conscious choice about it, but it was this first thought stuck with me.
It made me think what is my life? What am I paying attention to? Is it what I want to pay attention to?
This is not a new thought. Jesus spoke this truth nearly 2000 years ago, long before smartphones were drawing away people’s focus. After just telling us to lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 5:21), Jesus continues to say to us that what the eye sees changes us from the inside out.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23
Now while what we look at on our phones or computers may not be of itself wrong, it may not be good either, especially if it is keeping us away from what is best!
Is what we are looking at filling us with light? Is what we pay attention to refreshing us, helping us grow closer to God, or to our family? If our life really is made up of the things we pay attention to, shouldn’t we be more aware of what we are focusing that attention on?
God wants you and me to be filled with light because He knows that “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) He wants you to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) So if what we pay attention to can brighten or dull that light then it is essential to be aware of where our attention is focused!
And He doesn’t just expect us to figure it out, but rather God tells us exactly where to focus our attention!
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
What if your life was made up of these things? What if these were the things we all paid attention to every day? Oh, how amazing life would be if it was lovely, of good report, full of virtue and praise! Oh, how wonderful to have a life that was true and pure, noble and just! These are the things our Heavenly Father wants for us, why do we fight so hard against them? Why do we put so many barriers in place in our own
This week make it your intention to focus on godliness and be encouraged! Realize that your life is made up of the things you pay attention to and make that attention count!
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
In Christian Love,
