Charlz Gutiérrez De Piñeres/Unsplash
Distraction. This word is not to bring condemnation. But to bring conviction to us who are overwhelmed by the many distractions of the world through the power of technology.
The glowing triangle is a trendy phrase going across social media networks. Stanford University suggests that Americans spend most of each day staring at, interacting with and deriving satisfaction from glowing rectangles. This is by watching music-playing rectangles, mobile communication rectangles and also personal work rectangles.
According to the report, staring blankly at luminous rectangles is an increasingly central part of modern life. “From the moment they wake up in the morning, to the moment they lose consciousness at night, Americans are in near-constant visual contact with bright, pulsating rectangles,” said Dr. Richard Menken, the author of the study. We spend 90 percent of our waking hours staring at these glowing rectangles.
Researchers were able to identify nearly 30 varieties of glowing rectangles that play some role throughout the day.
Despite having a leisure rectangle in every bedroom, along with multiple work rectangles, a rectangle just for the children, and one or two rectangles that can do the work of several rectangles in one, many citizens admit they are dissatisfied.
In Isaiah 42:14-17, God said:
“I have been quiet for a long time. I have been quiet and have held Myself back. Now I will cry out like a woman giving birth. I will breathe hard and fast. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their plants. I will make the rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by a way that they do not know. I will lead them in paths they do not know. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. And I will make the bad places smooth. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them. They will be turned back and be put to shame who trust in false gods, who say to these objects of worship, ‘You are our gods.’”
As Christian’s, we justify our constant distractions to these glowing rectangle’s and call this “ministry.” In all the keeping up with the social media ourselves, we have been drawn in by assuring ourselves that we’re a witness for Jesus, justifying our technology addiction.
We lost the art of communication. What are we to do? Let’s talk for just a minute, where is the Lord asking us to make some adjustments, making more time to sit with him, rest and perhaps pray more?
Rev Lois Blei was raised in Arizona and has a passion/vision to see a “network” of Prayer across our City and State, moving in that direction since the early 90’s. At that time, she was the South East Arizona Aglow International Area President, with a strong focus to rise and train leadership. She was also a part of the leading teaching teams of New Creation International Church Ministries, Grace Chapel Foursquare Church and Fountain Gate Ministries International.