If I were to ask you to list the rarest and therefore the most valuable commodities of the next ten years what would top your list? Fresh water will continue to be scarce in many parts of the world. Food and energy will also certainly qualify. What about full, undivided attention?
There is more vying for our attention now than ever before including: strategically-placed advertisements, social media updates, busywork, and – worst of all offenders – the ever-present smart phone. We’ve become a nation of busybodies and distracted thinkers incapable of having meaningful conversations that exceed the 160-character limit of a text message. We are more connected and yet more isolated now than ever before.
As Christians we’re called to be different from the culture around us, being in but not of the world (John 17:14). This isn’t a plea to adopt an ascetic lifestyle – abandoning the technological trappings of 21st century life for barn raising and buggy driving. This is a call to preserve and protect one of the most valuable assets we as Christians have: the attentiveness of his or her own mind.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
While we have the liberty to make use of the benefits of our modern lifestyle, we are called to differentiate ourselves from the culture around us, glorifying God in every circumstance and engagement. What exactly does that look like?
Here are three ways we can image Christ to those around us:
Put your phone away and be present
There are few things that will discourage genuine dialogue quicker than someone feigning interest in what’s being said while sending a text or updating their status on Facebook. Sadly we often prioritize managing our extended social lives and schedules over the person in front of us. Don’t allow your impulsive phone-checking to impede your ministry opportunity. If you have other pressing responsibilities making demands on your time, it’s better to preface a conversation with “unfortunately I only have 15 minutes to talk today” than to try to multitask. Fifteen minutes of dedicated love and attention (with your phone away and ringer on silent) is more powerful than an hour divided.
Have conversations within the appropriate forum
Text messaging is a great tool for encouraging people. It allows you to redeem short windows of availability by checking in with someone you’re discipling or letting someone in your community group know that you’re thinking about and praying for them. It isn’t the right forum for longer, nuanced dialogues. The shorthand of the medium doesn't lend itself to deeper emotional engagement. Similarly posting a Bible verse on someone’s Facebook wall isn’t a substitute for real cooperative study. We need to ensure that we give the proper amount of attentiveness and respect to each person as the situation requires.
Practice presence of mind
As disciples of Christ we should practice the same disciplines of mindful living that were modeled by our Lord during his three years of ministry. Jesus consistently retreated from the crowds to spend time in prayer with the Father so that he could return to minister to others (Luke 5:16). Likewise finding quiet time for study, meditation, and prayer is a discipline of single-minded focus. We focus on God and His Word and are transformed in our meditations and equipped to love and serve others (Romans 12:2).
While the examples here were primarily focused on ways that technology has impeded our focus, anything can ultimately be an obstacle to loving someone with all our faculties. Regardless of our intent, the effectiveness of our ministry is diminished when we spread ourselves too thin, but the fully engaged heart is a powerful tool in the Master’s hands.
