Every Sunday morning, just as I’m standing for worship at church, I get a ping on my phone telling me how much screen time I actually have collected throughout the week. I try to disregard it, afterall, service has began! But in full disclosure, the number all the time makes me squirm a bit. It’s an excessive amount of and I comprehend it.
Sure, I can justify a number of the screen time spent for emails, writing, automotive directions, grocery lists, and podcasts, but I do know the vast majority of the time comes from scrolling. And more scrolling.
At some point, we have now to ask ourselves, “What’s the associated fee of my scrolling?” and specifically, “How is it affecting my spirituality?” Let’s take an honest have a look at America’s latest favorite pastime.
Scrolling Steals Time
Social media, online articles, and other digital platforms have one common goal: to maintain you on their site. They will do every thing of their power to get you to scroll to the subsequent thumbnail, picture, or article. Between notifications and catchy headlines, it’s easy to let 5 minutes of scrolling turn into 25. I speak from honest experience! If my time is being zapped by my continuous scrolling, my time dedicated to my calling is compromised. Callings can look different for everybody and different in every season. But if we’re consistently on our phones, how much are we actually tending to the gifts and purposes God has for us outside of our mindless scrolling? Our time is precious and never guaranteed. Ephesians 5:15-16 says,
“Look fastidiously then the way you walk, not as unwise but as clever, making the very best use of the time, since the days are evil.” (ESV)
What’s the answer?
I’m not advocating deleting all of our social media platforms. I like making a very good reel! But what if we set strong boundaries for the way much time we’ll actually allot for ourselves every day? There are plenty of the way to set screen and app limits to maintain us accountable! As you mindfully take into consideration an appropriate time for every day or week, remember God has given us a present of time, and the way we spend the time reflects a fantastic deal of our heart and priorities.
Scrolling Reflects Our Hearts
Speaking of priorities, how often are we reaching for our phones before our Bibles? It’s really easy to show the alarm off, only to see the messages and notifications, baiting us to ascertain them. What if we were full of the Word before the world very first thing in our day? I think holding off as many distractions within the morning to first replenish on God’s presence is vital to starting out every day with a God-centered standpoint. Our spirituality can take a success once we are consistently full of people’s opinions if we aren’t discerning in God’s truth. Psalm 119:105 declares,
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a lightweight to my path.” (ESV)
Starting every day within the Word of God reiterates that our viewpoint is predicated on Biblical truth. How can we scroll with wisdom? Prioritize reading God’s word each day before digesting the world. In the identical breath, being full of the Holy Spirit invites us to discern what we are literally taking a look at once we scroll. The algorithm has a way of telling us what we’re drawn to. Are the reels and posts edifying and pure? Are they asking you to compromise your standards, or opening a door for you to check yourself to someone’s body or house? These are great inquiries to ask as we evaluate our scrolling to our spirituality.
Scrolling Impacts Our Relationships
“Mom! Mooooom. MAMA!” Yes, my kids have begged for my attention on a couple of occasion after I was lost deep into social media la-la-land. My husband and I actually have been the meme: sitting in bed, scrolling without saying a word! In a world filled with distractions, our eye contact and undivided attention are true gifts we can provide our relationships. Other than our relationship with God, the relationships we have now around us are God-given assignments to like and nurture.
Our mission on earth is to like God and love others (Matthew 28:19-20). Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to “consider tips on how to fire up each other to like and good works…encouraging each other, and all of the more as you see the Day coming near” (ESV). And while I shall be the primary to say we will use social media and other digital platforms to encourage each other, let’s not forget the great thing about real, life-giving relationships right before our eyes.
Our marriages deserve our full attention. The littles will grow big way too fast and launch their very own lives. Our God-given relationships warrant our heartfelt engagement. Sure, we will check in on our family members by seeing their highlights online, but reaching out in a private way, possibly sharing a meal or coffee, is an investment in relationships because the Kingdom of God desires.
Above all, allow God, right here and right away, to talk to you about your time spent scrolling. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! If we ask Him to look at our hearts and the impact our time online has on our spirituality, He shall be faithful to reply. Psalm 139:23-24 from the ESV says,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the best way everlasting!”
May we be so daring as to hope these very words.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Delmaine Donson
