Help Me Rest, Not Scroll
by Amber Ginter
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” - Colossians 3:2, NIV
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I was sixteen when social media was introduced to me. Though my parents waited until this age to "gift" me with my first cell phone, I quickly realized I wasn't missing much.
After creating a Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram account, I was enthralled. I would spend hours scrolling until I'd "caught up for the day," and researching the latest trends. I knew who liked who, where they went for vacation, and how they maintained their six-pack. And yet, at the end of the day, I felt a deep void inside. Empty, hollow, aching.
Today, I think most of us know that social media only shows the highlights. But how quickly does a five-minute scroll leave us comparing our lives to someone else? I know I'm guilty of this time and time again. This digital medium isn't bad in and of itself. It's a gift to be able to see what friends and family are doing all over the world. But when we start to become complacent with where we are because of what someone else has, I'm afraid we have a problem. Instead of being content, we become complacent. And instead of being satisfied, we become empty.
In Colossians 3:2, the Apostle Paul reminds us to watch what we fill our eyes, ears, and hearts with. He tells us to set our minds not on earthly things, but on things above. Heavenly things that cannot be taken away from us.
What does this practically look like?
Setting our minds on things above means placing a higher emphasis on spiritual truths rather than fleeting pleasures. It looks like pursuing love, truth, and righteousness over more stuff. It means pursuing the fruits of the Spirit and God's Word above vegging out on Netflix or numbing ourselves with unhealthy habits.
In Matthew 6:19-21, it's Jesus' reminder to store up treasures in Heaven that cannot be destroyed by moths or stolen by thieves. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Things like social media, watching shows on Netflix, or having a nice home aren't wrong things. What matters is that your priorities are in order. What matters is that you realize the benefit of God's gifts without worshipping the gifts themselves. What matters is that instead of disconnecting from reality with distraction, we reconnect with the peace of God that He offers. We set our sights on things above. Things that cannot be taken away from us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, knowing that those things satisfy.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear God,
When I'm tempted to set my heart and mind on earthly things, would you gently nudge me in the right direction? Would you help me to prioritize the values in my life with you first and everything else second? Would you help me to see the beauty of the blessings you've given me, but to never place them above the beauty of yourself? Please help me to use these gifts appropriately and set my sights on the virtues of your Word that can never be taken away from us. We praise and thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Do you find it easier to distract yourself with worldly things? Take time to journal and process your thoughts with the Lord.
2. How can you pursue love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control in your everyday actions? Make a plan to show one spiritual fruit every day of the week.
3. Next time you're tempted to numb or distract yourself with worldly pleasures, get outside and take a walk in nature. Ask God to help set your sights on Godly values that last for eternity.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Tim Mossholder
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