8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
There are a lot of Bible verses about our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, and souls. It matters what we see and hear, how we see and hear, what we think about, and what we decide. The Bible talks about how what comes out of our mouths reflects our hearts, and how those we spend time with change us.
It was true then and it’s true now. About 2000 years after the last verse of the Bible was penned we are living in a time where our eyes and ears are inundated with voices. We are able to see and hear whatever we want whenever we want. Our tv’s, laptops, and smartphones allow us to consume whatever entertainment, teaching, and information we please, and if we don’t know what we are in the mood for, the world will happily decide for us.
I don’t know about you, but I have been consuming too much lately. We moved to a new state, and my life is full of a bunch of people I don’t know yet and a bunch of places I need a GPS to find. It’s a new church, new school, new library, new grocery stores, new DMV that’s not even called a DMV, and so much unpacking, shopping, thrifting, and looking for a new plumber, HVAC company, and electrician.
How do I unwind from all the new and awkward things? TV. What do I do every time I have a question or need to solve a problem? Pick up my smart phone. The same smart phone with games, social media, and videos about everything you can think of. My laptop is handy too, and instead of writing, Bible study, or research on how to make Band of Opals Ministries a non-profit I get sidetracked with shopping, and gardening videos.
We run through all the wholesome entertainment and start compromising and watching things we wouldn’t have 6 months ago. Then the next thing you know, those shows and movies don’t feel so uncomfortable anymore and the temptation is there to compromise further. Devices are easier than people, entertainment easier than the to-do list.
All of a sudden, I can’t concentrate well, I feel frazzled, and all the stress, bad behavior, and poor language I’ve been exposed to starts coming out of me instead of the device. I’m irritable, rude, and my mind is suggesting all kinds of solutions to problems that I had better not take. A mind that was once on holy things now has many other things to think on, and very few of them are true, noble, right, and pure.
I can’t spend too much time consuming what and how the world does and expect to be different from them.
I want to obey God in the area of my focus! I want my mind to be where it ought to be. On Him and the things that He has for me to do and see and hear. I want to be clean inside and out and sensitive to who and what is actually in front of me and not what some industry would put in front of me.
I want to hear Him when He speaks to me, so things need to be quiet more often.
So, I’m stepping back intentionally. Setting some new rules in place about how often or for what reason I can pick up that remote, laptop bag, and smartphone. I can feel the discomfort of retraining my brain, but I know the discomfort won’t last too long. This is not the first time I have had to do this. Maybe I will find some real balance and learn my lesson this time.
I am also being intentional about dialing up time with God, scripture, worship, and putting my feet in the green grass. Time for my husband, kids, and those we love. Time to sit and do nothing and let my mind wander and dream with God about the future while I thank Him for the present.
Is there anything truer that God? Anyone more noble? More right, lovely, pure, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? No one and nothing even come close. If I just immerse myself in His presence, His Word, and His work then my mind will be exactly where it should.
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