We live in a world full of distractions. With advances in technology, we’ve got information and entertainment at our fingertips 24/7. And if we’re being honest, most all of us spend entirely too much time on our phones, whether it’s scrolling social media, reading the latest news on our preferred news app, watching videos—the list can go on and on. According to research, Americans spend nearly five and a half hours per day on their phones. Along with that, people on average check their phones upwards of 60 times each day.

With numbers like that, it's really an understatement to say we’re obsessed with our smartphones. It may be easy to hear these numbers and say “No, that’s not me.” But I guarantee that most all of us would be pretty humbled—and perhaps incredibly convicted—if we took a look at our phone and screen time habits. More than likely, that would be data you rather not know. But here’s why it matters: Does that time spent on your smartphone bring benefit to your life? Can you say your life is more positive because of it? I’m confident that we all answer no to that question.

Taking it a step further, all of that time we spend on our phones illustrates another important point: we all have a lot more negotiable time than we realize. What could you accomplish in the time you spend each time on your phone? Even more importantly, what else could you be present for if your attention wasn’t focused on that small item in your hand?

With the smartphone, as with most everything, setting boundaries and limits are crucial to living a healthy, productive life. Our time is an investment, and if we don’t invest our time into the things we love—the things that make our lives better—we will always feel like we have nothing. There will always be an emptiness that just cannot be filled. Whether it’s friends or family or a job, we must intentionally make time for them. If not, resentment can easily creep in and relationships can be affected.

Luke 10: 38-42 gives us a great example of distraction and the avoidance of distraction:

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

We cannot overlook the prominence of this scenario: Martha was in the presence of Jesus, and she was too distracted with everyday basic tasks to focus on Him. On the flip side was Mary, who kept her focus where it should be, on Jesus, and received the fulfillment that only He can offer.

Like Mary, we all need to keep our focus on positive things that produce good fruits in our hearts and lives. There is so much that fights for our attention every day, and we must always consider this: is it worth it? Does it lead to our good—to our good portion that cannot be taken away? If the answer is no, then it doesn’t deserve your time.

Want to talk more about what distracts you and some changes you may need to make in your life? Please join us during one of our Sunday services, or simply text your prayer requests to (775) 485-1234 and we will walk with you on your journey.