Digital Detox
I’ve decided that I’m going to start this year doing something sort of extreme.
I’m going to experiment with a digital detox!
Here’s what I’m thinking…
Delete and entirely abstain from social media.
For me, that’s pretty much only Instagram and Facebook.
Radically stupefy my smart phone.
Delete as many apps as I possibly can.
Significantly reduce media consumption.
I don’t watch many shows or movies. I’m not completely removing these, as I actually think a controlled amount of media intake like this is good for me.
I’m going to do all of this for at least 40 days.
Why would I do this?
Rebellion
In a way, I want to do this as an act of rebellion!
We are radically inundated with digital media. The days of social media being primarily about networking with long lost friends are FAR behind us. We are the product. Knowing there are social engineering master-minds with billion dollar payrolls conspiring to commandeer my focus and attention… how do I stand a chance?
So as an act of rebellion, I’m going to unplug for a while.
Focus
At the very core of my being, I really want one thing in life.
I want to know and be known by Jesus Christ.
I am deeply convinced everything else I could possibly care about flows from Him and is actually strengthened by this core focus!
The narratives of this world stand in contrast and push against this deep desire in nearly every way. Among many other false narratives …
I’m told that life is all about me and I should do anything I want and exercise my “right” to be comfortable and have an easy, relaxed life.
I’m told I can be “connected” to anyone I know at any time I want and that this is only a good thing.
I’m enticed by the latest bright and shiny product or gadget.
I’m find wisdom and I’m even hungering for the invitation found in the ancient writings of Paul of Tarsus to the Church in Corinth …
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
I am deeply convinced it is only in what, nay, in WHO is Unseen I find any Hope, Joy, or Purpose in this life.
So in this season, I seek to position myself to push away the distractions and false narratives of this world and lean into the Unseen, the person of Jesus Christ.
Whether it’s a conviction to grow in my relationship with Christ, or almost anything else in life that matters, isn’t it true that we don’t casually stumble into the things in our lives which matter most?
Isn’t it true we must fight for the things we most value?
People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerless-ness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated? - D.A. Carson
I’m not willing to chance “drifting toward” the things that matter most to me. I’ve spent the last 25+ years of my life seeking to lean in and be disciplined and find the New Life Jesus invites me to. I have experienced L I F E. I have experienced Joy, and Peace when it doesn’t make sense. I have a sense of Calling and Purpose and believe I have walked in Abundance and fruitfulness.
And… and I know
There.
Is.
MORE!
So here I am, seeking to reclaim some time and focus. Seeking to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing. I’ll certainly do so imperfectly, but I’m excited to lean in.
Even though I’m unplugging … I’d love to stay connected. Send me an email or text… give me a phone call.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
