Even though I’m a fan of technology, it seems like there’s no escape from it, even if you wanted to. In our modern, digital world, it’s easy to work around the clock: our cell phones are always on and everyone expects their text messages and emails to be answered instantly. You might even crawl into bed with your phone, checking out your Facebook updates or playing a game to “wind down.”
It’s safe to say that for most of us, our work and our technology can consume our days and our nights.
Citizens of the ancient world saw no such conveniences, of course. They entertained themselves in other ways, usually in groups; this was a true face-to-face fellowship at its finest. Even still, they managed to be distracted from the ways of the Lord.
God wants our attention. Every day and every night, God wants to be the one who consumes your thoughts. It might seem impossible; after all, how many of us are living in monastic settings?
The psalmist writes:
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. —Psalm 1:2
He/she who is close to the Lord is the same one who meditates on holy things night and day. How can that translate for us, in our world, with all of our distractions and responsibilities?
As we prepare ourselves for Christ’s death and resurrection, we should turn to prayer. For Christians, Lent is a prime time for investigating God’s word, spending time in prayer, and meditating on Scripture.
Ask God to help you carve out more time to spend in His holy presence, and He will. Even though you may not lead a monk-like lifestyle, the more we spend time talking to God and (even more importantly) listening to God, the more our thoughts return to Him and His ways. Through regular prayer and reflection on Scripture, we become more like Christ, and it becomes possible to spend our days and nights thinking about godly things.
This Lenten season, I again invite you to join me as we dedicate more time to God through quiet times of prayer, meditation, and reflection.
Blessings in Christ,
Mo. Allison+
O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
