Digital Detox by Wendy SpeakeSample

Day Four

Staying Present for God’s Glory

Scripture: Psalm 19

“Mom! Mom! Mom!” the boys called as they scrambled out of our backyard pool. I looked up to see what was causing the commotion and couldn’t believe my eyes. Thousands of butterflies fluttered around the boys. Everywhere, as far as my eyes could see, butterflies swarmed and swirled in all directions. Immediately I ran toward my room. My first thought was to grab my phone. I needed to start a Facebook Live at once!

Halfway down the hall, I remembered I had just begun a forty-day social media fast. In addition to staying off Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, I had decided to keep my phone in my room all day long so that I would be present for my family. But what was happening outside was amazing. I had a choice: share the spectacle with my online friends or soak it up with my family. 

Though my iPhone has a ridiculously impressive camera built into it, those photos only capture the visual display of God’s glory. But live the moment, and the moment becomes a multisensory experience you’ll cherish forever!

So I turned around and walked out to the patio. The fluttering of butterfly wings brushed my skin. The slippery cool touch of my youngest son’s arms around my middle made it hard to breathe, or maybe it was the miracle of the moment. I caught my breath, overwhelmed. 

My tendency is to see something awe-inspiring in nature, such as a glorious sunset, and immediately start posting a picture of it along with a time-consuming stream of hashtags: #psalm19 #declare #mastercraftsman #sunset #amazing #praise #glory #faithlife #creator . . . 

Sadly, during those sacred moments when my head is bowed over my phone, I miss seeing the setting sun transform the sky from mango to magenta as the Master Craftsman splashes heavenly hues across the canvas of heaven. I experienced only a few moments of glory when I could have soaked it up for another seven minutes. In my attempt to share His glory with others, I often miss out on so much of it. I miss much when I share much. 

I praise you, God! The rocks and the sunset and the skies cry out that You are marvelous! Help me to lay down my distractions so that I might lift up my eyes and lift up my praise! In Jesus’s praiseworthy name, Amen.