In my own experience with hearing God, I have found that it is very easy to become distracted. There are so many things in this world fighting for our attention. We are bombarded with hundreds of marketing ads each day. Companies spend millions of dollars simply to get your attention. “Buy our products!” Commercials, billboards, logos, advertisements, telemarketers, solicitations–they are everywhere.
Then, add to that what we feed our mind with on a daily basis. The average American spends almost 9 hours a day consuming media–television, movies, internet, iPod, music, computer games. Nine hours a day! Considering we spend 8 of our 24 hours a day sleeping, that leaves only 7 hours a day that we’re not consuming media. That’s amazing.
I think one of the key tactics of the enemy is to fill our minds with so much stuff that we don’t have time to listen. Think about how hard it is to just slow down, clear your mind and be at peace. I know for me, Mr. Adrenaline Junkie, it’s near impossible. Yet, God commands us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Be still.
Try it. Try being still after a hard day of work and stress. Try being still after watching some action flick or romance movie. Try being still when there’s bills to pay and work to do. It’s hard!
Just yesterday, I was playing this computer game called Combat Arms. (I’m usually not a gamer, but my son likes this game, so I try to spend time with him playing Combat Arms.) When playing this game, you’re in this virtual world, and images are constantly in front of you–soldiers, snipers, guns, explosions. And, it’s a real-time game, so we’re playing with other players all around the world. So, you’re adrenaline gets pumping.
Here’s what happened last night. I was playing the game at about 8 pm, a couple of hours before bed. After I finished playing, I shut off the computer and then sat down in my recliner to pray before I climbed into bed. But, each time I closed my eyes to pray, I would see those scenes–the soldiers, snipers from the game. So, I had to open my eyes to pray. But, I would forget and close them. Again, soldiers and snipers everywhere. It was very frustrating and distracting. How could I pray and be still when my mind was still in the game? I think the enemy has done a pretty good job of creating so much distraction around us.
Just to clarify, I’m not some anti-media person. Actually, it’s my profession. I’m a producer. I produce media. I believe there are some redemptive forms of media, but I think it all comes down to balance.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. How much media is enough? When do I cross over from media enjoyment into media gluttony?
2. What is my refuge, my safe place, the place I go when I’m stressed? Do I flip on the television to “veg out” for awhile. Soap operas, reality shows, news? What’s your escape?
3. Are you finding it harder and harder to dedicate time with God? Would you rather get up first and check your email? Turn on the television? Listen to some music? Fill your mind with something?
I encourage you to spend some time this week “being still”. God is waiting for you on the other side of the distraction.
