An Analog Life in a Digital WorldSample

Psychology tells us that the more often we’re exposed to something, the more we think about it. In other words, our thoughts are largely shaped by the things around us that we see and experience regularly. And to a great extent, our thoughts control our lives. The things we think about repetitively eventually become the things we fixate on, the things we invest in, and the things that influence our decisions. That’s why the Apostle Paul reminds us that a key component to our spiritual transformation is changing the way we think. As Christians, we are called to be “living sacrifices” who don’t copy the behaviors of the rest of the world. Instead, we are meant to worship God by the way we live – which starts by changing the way we think – which starts by changing what we’re exposing ourselves to. Nowadays, screen time dominates our free time, from vacation days to bathroom breaks. So it’s time to take a good look at the content we are consuming from our screens and decide if it’s making us think and live more like Jesus.

How would you have to change your screen time to align it with a life that is holy and pleasing to God? Do you interact with screens differently than your non-Christian friends? Does your screen time match the description in Philippians 4:8 of things we should think about? 

Take a Next Step:  Take a month-long mealtime challenge by allowing no screens whatsoever during meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner – by yourself and with others) for the next 30 days.

Use this prompt to lead you into prayer... 

God, only You can transform me to be more like Jesus. This month, begin opening my eyes to the reality of screen time in my life and begin renewing my mind as I set aside the screen and focus on You and on the people I love…