31 Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we
be clothed? 32 (For
after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. 34 Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
–Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV)
I sometimes wonder what God thinks
about all our technology. Something our technology has done is
cause us to be a little more distracted than we already are. Have
you had a cell phone go off in church lately? Was your prayer
time interrupted by an incoming text message? What about a conversation
with a friend which was interrupted by a text or call? Did the
conversation you were having cease while one of you replied or took
the call? Are you like millions of Facebook users who admit to
checking their status first thing in the morning even ahead of going
to the bathroom?
If you answered “yes” to one or more
of these questions then you indeed need a break from the daily distractions
of technology. Personally, I have moments where I would not mind
if we still used 8-track tapes and rotary phones. Anyone under
30 reading this is probably thinking, “What are 8-track tapes?”
I also tend to stay a few years behind the latest technology.
My cell phone does not have a camera (I know many of you just let out
an audible gasp of disbelief), I do not have an Ipad (another gasp),
and the desktop PC in my home office runs Windows XP. That last
one probably made some of you fall right out of your chairs.
Admittedly, I am living in the dark ages,
technologically speaking. I will not even get into the fact that
my TV cable only has about 18 channels and we still do not have caller
ID on our phone, but that’s all fodder for another blog post.
The point of all this is a daily walk with Christ involves taking time
to commune with the Lord – each day. Take a bold step of faith
and allow all this technology to lay idle a little while so that you
may commune with God as friend to friend. I have always spent
time every day in prayer, but two years ago I recommitted myself to
this vital spiritual discipline. I began rising earlier each day,
well before daylight, for the sole purpose of prayer and meditation
on the Scriptures. This practice has had a profound influence
on my attitude, outlook, ministry, family relationships, and my relationship
with the Lord. If I can do this, then so can you. I am confident
it will make all the difference in your life.
Jesus said to seek Him first. When
we do this, everything else lines up in its proper place. You
will not regret spending more time in prayer and in the Word.
God bless you today.
