I was making cookies the other day and grabbed all the ingredients I needed except for flour. I walked over to the pantry with the single intent of grabbing that last ingredient. Along the way I chanced upon a can of coconut milk. I thought we were out of it. When did I buy it? I squinted at it to make sure it had not expired. It had not. What a relief. I could make panang curry, I thought, and sauntered over to the fridge wondering if I needed to thaw chicken. If you are tracking along, you may have noticed that I never brought the flour back with me. Needless to say, this is a thing that happens to my overstimulated brain. I jump from thing to thing as I move around.
Later that same day, I was listening to Charles Spurgeon while playing fetch with my dogs. When I was done, I started walking away and then promptly turned around to grab my phone. It was as though another part of me had taken over. I observed myself for the rest of the day. I never forget my phone. It goes with me wherever I go. For someone who misplaces almost everything and spends considerable time searching for things, my phone is the one exception.
How are my neural pathways functioning differently when it comes to my phone? It took me a little while to figure it out. I am constantly monitoring work emails and Teams messages. It is like I am never truly unplugged from work. Somewhere along the way, I allowed my blessing of a job to become my identity. It gave me a sense of accomplishment, a purpose, a thing I was made to do. Work is worship, they said. It had to be important, right? But I am not what I do for a living. I am a child of God. So what exactly is confusing my little brain?
First, I am going to thank God for this realization. This has to be another one of those worldly things that slips quietly into our psyche as something important, while quietly crowding out the One who belongs on the throne. I have not lost my phone yet, and that should say something. I lost the first piece of jewelry my husband bought me while we were still dating.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
-Romans 12:2
Renew my mind. Change my neural pathways to reach for Jesus instead of the phone, instinctively. It sounds wonderful in theory. But maybe it can become a reality if I ask our good Lord to do exactly that.
“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 is none other as noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy as our Lord and Savior. So it is time to think about Him and all that He has done for an unworthy, phone loving creature like me. I hope you step away from that evil contraption today and spend some time in His holy presence. God bless you.
Dear God,
Please help me keep my mind on You. Teach me to be aware of Your constant presence, to cherish Your goodness, to praise You constantly, and to glorify You in everything I do. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.