Choosing Holy Attention Amid Digital Distractions

 

Summary

In our journey through the series "Digital Babylon," we have been exploring how our digital habits shape us and how we can remain faithful in a world filled with digital distractions. Today, we focus on how these distractions steal our attention and how we can cultivate a community of holy attention. Drawing from the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10, we see how Martha's busyness and distraction led her to miss the presence of Jesus in her home. In contrast, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, embodying a posture of holy attention.

Our modern lives are filled with distractions, particularly from digital devices that constantly demand our attention. Studies show that our attention spans are shrinking, and we are often pulled away from meaningful engagement with God and others. This digital distraction is not just a minor inconvenience; it is a significant threat to our spiritual lives, leading us into what Ronald Rolheiser calls "spiritual oblivion."

Jesus' response to Martha is a gentle invitation to focus on what truly matters. He acknowledges her worries and anxieties but reminds her that only one thing is needed: being present with Him. This invitation extends to us today, urging us to prioritize our relationship with God over the myriad distractions that vie for our attention.

To cultivate holy attention, we must intentionally resist digital distractions. This involves practical steps like turning off non-essential notifications, using focus modes, setting app limits, and creating device-free moments. Additionally, we are invited to practice silence and solitude, allowing our minds and hearts to be fully present with God. These practices help us slow down, process our thoughts and emotions, and deepen our awareness of God's presence in our lives.

Ultimately, the goal is to develop a reflex of turning our attention to God throughout our day, much like we instinctively check our phones. This won't happen overnight, but with intentional practice, we can become a community that, like Mary, chooses the better part—being with Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Threat of Distraction: Our digital habits often lead us into a state of spiritual oblivion, where we are more distracted than non-spiritual. This distraction is a significant threat to our faith, as it prevents us from being present with God and others. We must recognize the impact of digital distractions on our spiritual lives and take steps to address them. [02:47]

2. The Invitation to Holy Attention: Jesus' response to Martha is a loving invitation to focus on what truly matters. In our busy and anxious lives, we are reminded that only one thing is needed: being present with God. This invitation calls us to prioritize our relationship with God over the distractions that vie for our attention. [17:20]

3. Practical Steps to Resist Distraction: To cultivate holy attention, we must intentionally resist digital distractions. This involves practical steps like turning off non-essential notifications, using focus modes, setting app limits, and creating device-free moments. These actions help us reclaim our attention and focus on what truly matters. [32:15]

4. The Power of Silence and Solitude: Practicing silence and solitude allows us to slow down, process our thoughts and emotions, and deepen our awareness of God's presence. These practices help us regulate our emotions, hold multiple perspectives, and act with a deep awareness of our own mind and soul. [26:34]

5. Developing a Reflex of Attention to God: The goal is to develop a reflex of turning our attention to God throughout our day, much like we instinctively check our phones. This won't happen overnight, but with intentional practice, we can become a community that chooses the better part—being with Jesus. [30:54]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - Introduction to Digital Babylon
[02:47] - The Threat of Distraction
[04:24] - Jesus Sends Out the 72
[05:44] - The Greatest Commandment
[06:55] - Martha and Mary's Story
[14:10] - Modern Distractions
[16:24] - Martha's Desperation
[17:20] - Jesus' Invitation
[18:55] - The Priority of Presence
[19:50] - The Meaning of Priority
[21:14] - God With Us
[23:08] - Mary's Legacy
[24:18] - The Greatest Threat to Faith
[26:34] - Benefits of Contemplative Spirituality
[32:15] - Practical Steps to Resist Distraction
[37:11] - The Practice of Silence
[39:21] - Returning to God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:38-42

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different responses of Martha and Mary to Jesus' visit, and how did these responses reflect their priorities? [06:55]
2. How does Jesus address Martha's concerns, and what does He identify as the "one thing" that is needed? [17:20]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of digital distractions on our ability to focus on God and others? [14:10]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Martha and Mary illustrate the concept of "holy attention" as discussed in the sermon? [18:55]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that digital distractions can lead to "spiritual oblivion"? How does this compare to Martha's distraction in the story? [02:47]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of silence and solitude in cultivating a deeper awareness of God's presence? [26:34]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there specific digital distractions that pull your attention away from God? What practical steps can you take to minimize these distractions this week? [32:15]
2. How can you create moments of silence and solitude in your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? What might be a first step in implementing this practice? [37:11]
3. Consider the idea of developing a reflex of turning your attention to God throughout the day. What is one small habit you can start to cultivate this reflex? [30:54]
4. In what ways can you prioritize being present with God over other activities in your life? How can you ensure that this priority remains central in your daily schedule? [19:50]
5. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by busyness or anxiety. How might focusing on Jesus' invitation to "choose the better part" help you in similar situations in the future? [17:20]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel distracted or scattered. What specific action can you take to bring more focus and intentionality to this area? [14:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to resist digital distractions and cultivate holy attention together? What role can you play in fostering this environment? [29:41]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: The Peril of Digital Distraction
In today's world, digital distractions are more than just minor inconveniences; they pose a significant threat to our spiritual well-being. Our constant engagement with digital devices often leads us into a state of "spiritual oblivion," where we are more distracted than spiritually attuned. This distraction prevents us from being present with God and others, diminishing the quality of our relationships and our spiritual lives. Recognizing the impact of these distractions is the first step in addressing them. By acknowledging how our digital habits shape us, we can begin to take intentional steps to reclaim our attention and focus on what truly matters. [02:47]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: Identify one digital habit that often distracts you from being present with God. How can you modify this habit today to create more space for spiritual attentiveness?


Day 2: Embracing the Invitation to Holy Attention
Jesus' response to Martha in the story of Martha and Mary is a gentle yet profound invitation to focus on what truly matters. In a world filled with busyness and anxiety, Jesus reminds us that only one thing is needed: being present with Him. This invitation calls us to prioritize our relationship with God over the myriad distractions that vie for our attention. By choosing to sit at Jesus' feet, like Mary, we embody a posture of holy attention, allowing us to experience the fullness of His presence and peace. This choice requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of the things that pull us away from God. [17:20]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize your time with God over other distractions? How can you create a sacred space in your daily routine to be present with Him?


Day 3: Practical Steps to Reclaim Our Attention
To cultivate holy attention, we must intentionally resist digital distractions through practical steps. This involves turning off non-essential notifications, using focus modes, setting app limits, and creating device-free moments. These actions help us reclaim our attention and focus on what truly matters. By setting boundaries with our digital devices, we create space for meaningful engagement with God and others. These practices require discipline and commitment, but they are essential for nurturing a life of spiritual attentiveness and presence. [32:15]

Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV): "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: Choose one digital boundary you can implement today to help you focus on what truly matters. How will this change impact your relationship with God and those around you?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Silence and Solitude
Practicing silence and solitude allows us to slow down, process our thoughts and emotions, and deepen our awareness of God's presence. These practices help us regulate our emotions, hold multiple perspectives, and act with a deep awareness of our own mind and soul. In a world that constantly demands our attention, silence and solitude offer a refuge where we can encounter God in a profound way. By intentionally setting aside time for these practices, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [26:34]

Lamentations 3:25-28 (ESV): "The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him."

Reflection: Set aside 10 minutes today to sit in silence and solitude with God. What thoughts or emotions arise during this time, and how can you invite God into them?


Day 5: Developing a Reflex of Attention to God
The ultimate goal is to develop a reflex of turning our attention to God throughout our day, much like we instinctively check our phones. This won't happen overnight, but with intentional practice, we can become a community that chooses the better part—being with Jesus. By cultivating this reflex, we align our hearts and minds with God's presence, allowing His love and guidance to permeate every aspect of our lives. This practice requires patience and perseverance, but it leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. [30:54]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: Throughout your day, make a conscious effort to turn your attention to God in moments of pause. How does this practice change your perspective and interactions with others?

Quotes



We, for every kind of reason, good and bad, are distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion. It is not that we have anything against God, depth, and spirit. We would like these. It's just that we are habitually too preoccupied to have any of these things show up on our radar screens. [00:02:35] (25 seconds)


We are more busy than bad, more distracted than non-spiritual, and more interested in the movie theater, the sports stadium, ouch, and the shopping mall, and the fantasy life they produce in us, more so than we are in church. Pathological busyness, distraction, and restlessness are major blocks today within our spiritual lives. [00:03:01] (31 seconds)


Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Martha was distracted. Now the Greek verb Luke uses here means to be preoccupied, unable to concentrate or a loss of focus but it also has this maybe word picture or this sense of being pulled or dragged away from a reference point. [00:06:59] (33 seconds)


Jesus's response is no. He says, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed. Or indeed, only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and that will not be taken from her. In Jesus's response I don't hear resentment. I don't hear condescension. I don't hear chastisement or even comparison. I hear a loving invitation. [00:17:26] (33 seconds)


The promise of Christianity is that the presence of the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is healing. Is life transforming. And the way into the presence of God is through holy attention. Thinking and reflecting on what God is up to in this moment. Reflecting on how he might be at work in each moment we spend with him. [00:28:23] (38 seconds)


Instead of the reflex of going to our phone, what if it was a reflex of taking our mind to God? That won't happen quickly. And it certainly won't. It certainly won't happen overnight, but I think that's the goal, to make our reflex hundreds, if not thousands of little check-in moments with God. God, what are you up to as I'm talking to this barista? [00:30:54] (26 seconds)


Fifth, establish device-free moments. You and I desperately need moments without a screen, without a phone, or without headphones. Plug your phone in at night in another room and buy an alarm clock, people. They're cheap. Turn off the podcast or music on your drive to work. Create these device-free moments in which you actually have a moment to let your mind wander and wander. [00:35:31] (33 seconds)


The work of cultivating a holy attention is not necessarily never being distracted. But it is the work of returning to God time and time and time again. But if you are distracted 10 times in 10 minutes, that is 10 opportunities to return to God. It is 10 opportunities to return to God and find him like the father of the prodigal son running right back to you. [00:39:14] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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