Embracing Abundance: A Digital Reset Journey
Summary
Embarking on a journey to Montgomery, Alabama, I invite you to join me in stepping out of our comfort zones to make a difference and learn from the spiritual legacy of the civil rights movement. This trip is part of our broader mission at Crossroads to be part of an awakening, a movement where faith in Jesus transforms lives, families, and communities. As we prepare for this journey, we are also embarking on a different kind of journey—a 40-day digital reset during Lent. This reset is an invitation to change our relationship with our devices, to step away from distraction and towards the abundant life Jesus promised.
Our devices, while beneficial, often distract us from the abundant life Jesus offers. Many of us feel distracted, exhausted, and overwhelmed, which is far from the life of abundance Jesus promised. Our smartphones, though helpful, can become idols, promising less vulnerability and more power, much like the serpent's promise to Adam and Eve in Genesis. This digital fast is an opportunity to reclaim our lives from these distractions and idols.
Fasting is not about giving up but gaining something spiritual. By stepping away from our devices, we can awaken to new possibilities, creativity, and deeper relationships. This reset is a chance to wake up, choose life, and experience freedom. It’s about making informed decisions about our device usage from a place of freedom, not compulsion.
As we prepare for this digital reset, I encourage you to consider what God is inviting you to do. This is not about rules but about seeking God’s guidance on how to engage in this fast. It’s an opportunity to experience life in full color, to hear the birds sing, and to see the sun shine brighter. This reset is a gift from God, an invitation to step into a life of abundance and freedom. Will you receive it?
Key Takeaways:
- Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: The trip to Montgomery, Alabama, is an invitation to step out of our comfort zones, learn from the civil rights movement, and be part of a spiritual awakening that transforms lives and communities. [00:00]
- Digital Reset for Abundant Life: Our devices often distract us from the abundant life Jesus promised. This 40-day digital reset during Lent is an opportunity to change our relationship with our devices and step into the life Jesus offers. [08:47]
- Fasting as Spiritual Gain: Fasting is about giving up something physical to gain something spiritual. This digital fast is a chance to awaken to new possibilities, creativity, and deeper relationships, reclaiming our lives from distractions and idols. [12:35]
- Reclaiming Freedom and Life: The digital reset is a chance to wake up, choose life, and experience freedom. It’s about making informed decisions about our device usage from a place of freedom, not compulsion. [21:33]
- God’s Gift of Abundance: This reset is a gift from God, an invitation to step into a life of abundance and freedom. It’s about experiencing life in full color and receiving the good gifts God has for us. [36:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:00:30] - Invitation to Alabama
- [00:02:00] - Spiritual Awakening
- [00:03:30] - Digital Reset Introduction
- [00:05:00] - The Power of Devices
- [00:08:47] - Benefits and Costs of Technology
- [00:12:35] - Genesis and Idolatry
- [00:17:07] - Apps and Vulnerability
- [00:21:33] - God's Limitlessness vs. Our Limitations
- [00:24:44] - The Cost of Distraction
- [00:31:34] - The Opportunity of Fasting
- [00:36:02] - God's Good Gifts
- [00:38:14] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:15-17
2. Genesis 3:1-6
3. Ephesians 5:14
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 2:15-17, what specific command did God give to Adam regarding the trees in the garden? How does this relate to the concept of freedom and limitation? [12:35]
2. According to Genesis 3:1-6, what tactics did the serpent use to deceive Eve? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the promises made by our devices? [12:35]
3. What does Ephesians 5:14 mean when it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you"? How does this verse connect to the idea of a digital reset? [24:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of smartphones on our perception of vulnerability and power? [21:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 illustrate the concept of idolatry as discussed in the sermon? What modern parallels can be drawn from this story? [12:35]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our devices promise us less vulnerability and more power? How does this relate to the original temptation in the Garden of Eden? [12:35]
3. How does the sermon interpret the call to "wake up" in Ephesians 5:14 in the context of a digital fast? What does it mean to "choose life" in this context? [24:44]
4. The sermon mentions that God is limitless, while we are limited. How does this understanding affect our relationship with technology and our perception of freedom? [21:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with your smartphone. Are there specific ways it has become an idol in your life, promising less vulnerability or more power? How can you address this? [12:35]
2. The sermon invites us to a 40-day digital reset. What specific steps can you take to participate in this reset, and how do you anticipate it will impact your daily life? [31:34]
3. Consider the idea of "choosing life" as mentioned in the sermon. What practical changes can you make to experience more abundant life as promised by Jesus? [24:44]
4. How can you create more opportunities for silence and boredom in your life to foster creativity and deeper relationships, as suggested in the sermon? [24:44]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of making informed decisions about device usage. What specific boundaries can you set to ensure your device usage is intentional and not compulsive? [21:33]
6. Reflect on the concept of God’s gift of abundance. How can you actively receive and embrace this gift in your daily life, especially during the digital reset? [36:02]
7. The sermon encourages stepping out of comfort zones. What is one area in your life where you feel called to step out of your comfort zone, and how can you take a first step this week? [00:00:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
Embarking on a journey to Montgomery, Alabama, is more than a physical trip; it is a spiritual invitation to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the profound legacy of the civil rights movement. This journey is part of a broader mission to be part of a spiritual awakening, where faith in Jesus transforms lives, families, and communities. By stepping into unfamiliar territories, we open ourselves to learning and growth, allowing the lessons of the past to inspire and guide us in our present mission. This is a call to action, to be part of a movement that seeks justice, love, and transformation. [00:00]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you take a tangible step towards that today?
Day 2: Digital Reset for Abundant Life
In our modern world, devices often distract us from the abundant life Jesus promised. The 40-day digital reset during Lent is an opportunity to change our relationship with our devices and step into the life Jesus offers. By intentionally stepping away from the constant noise and distraction, we can refocus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and others. This reset is not about deprivation but about creating space for spiritual growth and deeper connections. It is an invitation to experience life more fully, as God intended. [08:47]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to reduce digital distractions and focus more on your relationship with God and others?
Day 3: Fasting as Spiritual Gain
Fasting is not merely about giving up something physical; it is about gaining something spiritual. This digital fast is a chance to awaken to new possibilities, creativity, and deeper relationships, reclaiming our lives from distractions and idols. By stepping away from our devices, we can discover a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. This practice allows us to focus on what truly matters and to hear God's voice more clearly in our lives. It is an opportunity to grow spiritually and to experience the freedom that comes from living a life centered on God. [12:35]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel bound by distractions or idols? How can fasting help you break free and focus on spiritual growth?
Day 4: Reclaiming Freedom and Life
The digital reset is a chance to wake up, choose life, and experience freedom. It’s about making informed decisions about our device usage from a place of freedom, not compulsion. By consciously choosing how we engage with technology, we can reclaim our time and attention, allowing us to live more intentionally and purposefully. This reset is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that God offers, free from the chains of distraction and compulsion. It is a call to live in the freedom that comes from being fully present and engaged with the world around us. [21:33]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you feel enslaved by technology or other distractions? What steps can you take today to reclaim your freedom and live more intentionally?
Day 5: God’s Gift of Abundance
This reset is a gift from God, an invitation to step into a life of abundance and freedom. It’s about experiencing life in full color and receiving the good gifts God has for us. By stepping away from distractions, we open ourselves to the beauty and richness of life that God intends for us. This is an opportunity to embrace the abundant life that Jesus promised, to see the world with fresh eyes, and to appreciate the blessings that surround us. It is a call to live fully and joyfully in the presence of God. [36:02]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can embrace the abundant life God offers today? How can you open your heart to receive the good gifts He has for you?
Quotes
So I've got my backpack on because I'm going to Alabama. I'm going right now. No, it feels like I'm going right now. I'm not going right now. But listen, I want to invite you to join me on this trip. I am actually going to be a part of the trip, helping to lead the trip that's leaving June 24th to go to Montgomery, Alabama. And I will just tell you, the reason is because I'm inspired by Eliana and I'm inspired by Linda Blackman -Lowery that I can make a difference and you can make a difference. We go around here. It's one of the things we do at Crossroads. Is we get out of our comfort zones and we step into other places where we can be a blessing and also where we can learn. And why Alabama? Well, at Crossroads, we've been praying and asking God that we could be part of something called an awakening. [00:00:00] (42 seconds)
And an awakening is when many, many people come to faith in Jesus. And that faith doesn't just impact their individual lives, but it impacts their families and their communities. It begins to impact the culture. And the civil rights movement was a spiritual awakening. And there are people like Linda Blackman -Lowery who, through their faith, made bold steps. And I think we're invited to do the same. It was a unified and diverse movement of God. And when we go down there, we get to tap into the spiritual legacy of that movement. We also get to make an impact. We've got amazing partners down there, so you can get your hands dirty and do work that will bless people in the community. And I just know you will experience the heart of Jesus in a powerful way. [00:00:42] (40 seconds)
So, like I said, we might be in different places about this, but all of us need this. See, Jesus promised us life abundantly. That's what Jesus said He came to do. I came that you would have life abundantly. But the truth is, self -reported, we are not experiencing the abundant life. We did this back in the fall during our 10X push. We asked the question, what's the condition of the soil of your heart? And we gave people some different words. And I want you to just look at this data and see very clearly what I see. Four out of five of us say that we are feeling distracted. [00:03:18] (36 seconds)
And two out of three are saying not only am I distracted, but I'm exhausted, I feel anxious, I'm unfocused, or I'm feeling overwhelmed. And let's just say there's nothing abundant about that kind of feeling. There's nothing abundant about that kind of life. In fact, if you feel that way, I want to suggest that, like Jesus says, there is a spiritual enemy that has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. And one of the ways that he's doing that is through the ways in which we relate to our devices. And so we want to get into that today, but the question is why? Why is it a relationship? Why is there a relationship between those feelings and these things in our pocket? We want to get into that and understand it. But listen, we'll never find out if we remain distracted. [00:04:14] (49 seconds)
I want to tell you that Jesus did come for you and I to experience life abundantly. That's why we're doing this, and that's why I'm inviting you to do this. And we're leaning into this spiritual practice called fasting. It's going to be a digital fast. And we're going to do it during a time in the church rhythm where fasting is pretty common. It's called Lent. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter. And, you know, if you grew up with any kind of Catholic or traditional church context, you're familiar with Lent. Lent is when you give up chocolate for 40 days or you give up whatever the thing is that you're giving up. But what you're doing in that, it was never about just giving up the thing. It's really about practicing this spiritual ancient rhythm called fasting. [00:05:01] (40 seconds)
And I define fasting this way. Fasting is giving up something in the spiritual to gain — I'm sorry, giving up something in the physical to gain something in the spiritual. So every time we fast, it isn't just about the giving up, but it's about the gaining of something that we can't get any other way. And I want to say this. We're not anti -tech. We're not anti -tech. In fact, when you go on a journey, when I go on the journey, I am — I'm very excited about my technology. And we have to just admit that our phones have given us a lot. Have they not? Our phones have given us a lot. In fact, in this bag, I've just got some symbolic items that will just help us remember just what we've gained. [00:06:23] (42 seconds)
And Adam and Eve believed that they could be like God in that way, and it unleashed all kind of havoc in the world. Because whenever we put anything in the place that only God deserves, the Bible has a word for it, and the word is idolatry. And let me tell you this, idolatry never ends well for human beings. Because idols, every idol, makes the same promise that the serpent made to Adam and Eve in the garden. Number one, you will not surely die. What is that saying? That's the promise that you can be less vulnerable in this world. And who among us doesn't want to be less vulnerable to the brokenness of this world? Who doesn't want to be less financially vulnerable to the economy of this world? Who doesn't want to be less relationally vulnerable to the ways in which people can hurt us? We all desire that. [00:12:57] (58 seconds)
And the serpent makes this promise to us, hey, if you just go with this thing that I'm giving you, it will make you less vulnerable. You shall not surely die. And then he also makes this promise. Every idol makes this promise. And you will be like God, which means you'll be more powerful. And I want to tell you that these two motivations are behind every action we do that the Bible calls sin. Everything that the Bible calls sin is either us trying to lessen our vulnerability in ways that God never intended, or it's us trying to gain power for ourselves in ways that God never intended. And I don't think there's ever been a device in the history of mankind that promises less vulnerability and more power than our phone. [00:14:13] (50 seconds)
Now, here's the truth. The truth is there's only one being who is truly not vulnerable in the way that we are and is the most powerful. It's God. God is limitless. God is not limited by time or space. God has not met an obstacle that he can't overcome. God is limitless. In fact, there's some churchy kind of theological words that describe attributes of God. One of them is this. God is omniscient. God is omniscient. What does that mean? It means that God knows everything. God knows the end from the beginning. He knows every thought and every mind. He knows every different scenario that can play out. God is omniscient. Another thing that God is, God is omnipresent. [00:19:58] (43 seconds)
God is everywhere at the same time. This is a mystery. We can't understand it. I can't understand how God is in the same time in history and in the present and in the future. I can't understand how God is present with every living being on the earth. I can't imagine how God is present in even the universe, in parts of the universe that I don't even understand. But because he's God, he is omnipresent. He's also omnipotent. God truly is all -powerful. Now, here's the thing with our phones. While God is limitless, we are limited. But our phones make us believe otherwise. Doesn't our phone make us feel omniscient? Because we can Google anything and know it. And yet the evidence is clear. We're losing our ability to think critically because of our smartphones. [00:20:18] (44 seconds)
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