I was horrified on Sunday when I saw that my screen time jumped up 91% this week. Ninety-one percent! I knew I defaulted to this little screen more than usual, but this was an alert that something was wrong. And what I know about myself is that my phone is my easiest access to an imaginary place away from responsibilities and pressures of my own. Anyone else agree? So the implication is this: what responsibilities or pressures have been troubling me lately that I would resort to vegging out on my phone so much? And why don’t I instead bask in the peace of my Father in Heaven where I know for a fact I receive more fulfillment?
I try to imagine Jesus in my position. After a long and difficult week at work, what would he do to decompress? Mark 1:35 provides a clue. It says, “Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” There are many examples in Scripture where Jesus intentionally got away from his disciples and followers to be by himself in the quiet and spend time with his father. And I guarantee you that if Jesus were here today rocking an iPhone 15 Pro, his screen time wouldn’t spike like mine every time he needed solitude; he would still keep that same habit of finding a quiet place to talk to God.
So why don’t I do that? What’s stopping me? What’s stopping you? Seriously consider this: what would your spiritual life look like if you prayed and listened to the Holy Spirit every time you felt the urge to mindlessly scroll? I’m going to be more intentional about that this week because I want to see God change my life. And I also want to see my screen time drop 91%.