Focused on Jesus

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

The announcement came over the speaker, “Bear on the golf course! Please evacuate the premises!” While many people hurriedly evacuated the mountainside miniature golf course, most stood and shot the bear with their phones. After the encounter, the bear posed with golfers. Huh?

Answer this question, what do atheists and Christians, pacifists and terrorists, pedophiles and children, share together? The answer, a computer screen, along with a social media presence. It’s kind of shocking but in July 2024 there were 5.17 billion social media users globally. And with a world population of 8.2 billion, that means over 60% are social media users. Couple those numbers with the average person spending two hours and seven minutes on social media every day, and it becomes pretty obvious looking at the screen, scrolling mindlessly, swiping, and ingesting content is mentally and physically addicting.

My father used to talk about people wasting their precious time staring into the television, the “boob tube,” and now we are investing even more time with the “zombie maker.” No problem here, just swiping to our next dopamine fix. There was a time our special moments were memorialized in scrapbooks, photo albums, and journals, but now you couldn’t fit all I have stored in my phone at the library. If you did a personal assessment, doesn’t it seem overwhelming to spend so much time scrolling through other people’s special events, memories, and opinions about food, events, and other people?

Look up and around, most people are looking down at their phones in hopes of what? Reading about the cure for cancer, some celebrity’s separation, the meaning of life, or how potatoes cooked with the evergreen branches in LA makes you better looking (not that it matters, but I made that up.) If I spend two hours and seven minutes scrolling through social media, my brain turns to mush and my personal peace seems to momentarily slip from my grip.

It seems there is this zombie-like appearance being exhibited in people who scroll through the land of social media for hours on end. Parents, have you considered how the hours of social media and gaming is affecting your child’s mood and behavior? Are they uptight, nervous, anxious, or easily distracted? I know you are busy, but really, look and talk to them. We are their example. What are we showing them with our way of life?

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3).

Times have changed, and while I am not suggesting there is no progress, perhaps we should examine these distractions and measure them with the Word of God. The Word promises perfect peace when we focus on Jesus, so maybe a little less swiping and a little more studying the Word would improve our lives? We know our adversary is notorious for using things of the world to distract us and take our attention away from Jesus. Remember, the greater our purpose serving God, the more desperate the devil will be in distracting us from that purpose!

Social media is a bittersweet dilemma. Some of the information is incredible, but some is just a waste of time. One thing for certain, a handheld phone can produce more up-to-date information than two shelves full of encyclopedias. But you may need to sift through a whole field to find that one morsel of truth. Of course, your children will probably first check with their influencer and get their opinion on the rights and wrongs of the subject. There are influencing “experts” on the latest products, fashion, home goods, styling tips, and even, moral beliefs and systems. They are paid handsomely for their personality and unique presentation.

Not surprising that the most engaging content for viewers is short-form videos less than a minute in length. Just click and voila, all the information you need at the swipe of a finger. But is it correct, or accurate? Is the information truth or just propaganda?

“Truth, what is truth?” attributed to Pontius Pilate.

How about following Jesus? Sounds like the enemy is at it again!

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words (Proverbs 4:20).

Have you noticed our attention span is like an ice cream cone on a hot August day, quickly wasting away? Today’s average adult attention span is 8.25 minutes, and soon to be a nothing burger. A few years ago, readers would stop me in the grocery, at ballgames, or even parking lots, to offer encouragement. Some would even send letters letting me know they clipped my article to send to a friend or family member who needed a good word. Those days people took the time to read and reflect on the written word.

Even though there are fewer people taking the time to read and offer encouragement, God always seems to stir the heart of at least one person. I want to encourage you to keep doing what God is calling you to do, even if the reach seems small. Jesus focused on ONE person at a time, and remember, He would leave the 99 to find the ONE who was lost. God notices what you are doing, and He is pleased when you bring Him glory.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

And if you are Googling the meaning of life, let me suggest my influencer for the answer. He’s found in John 3:16. He is my light in the darkness.