A restaurant owner in the village of Abu Ghosh,
just outside Jerusalem, offered a 50-percent discount for patrons who turned
off their cell phones. Jawdat Ibrahim believes that smartphones have shifted
the focus of meals from companionship and conversation to surfing, texting, and
business calls. “Technology is very good,” Ibrahim says. “But . . . when you
are with your family and your friends, you can just wait for half an hour and
enjoy the food and enjoy the company.”
How easily we can be distracted by many things,
whether in our relationship with others or with the Lord.
Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction
begins with hearts that have grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and
eyes that are closed (Matt. 13:15). Using the illustration of a farmer
scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell among thorns to a person who
hears God’s Word but whose heart is focused on other things. “The cares of this
world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes
unfruitful” (v.22).
There is great value in having times throughout
each day when we turn off the distractions of mind and heart and focus on the
Lord.
Focusing on God puts everything else in perspective. (RBC)
