The Sabbath for Mediaholics

Sabbath afternoon visiting Grandma

During the seventh day of the week, the earth manages to keep revolving right along on its axis without me.

It’s a blow to my pride, perhaps, but surely that’s the point. The point is the temptation to keep revolving the smart phone 24/7, in an unsmart way.

They are millions of mediaholics worshiping their Note5 and iPhones6, but very few using the  iRest7 software. 

The constant connection, constant pull, constant noise, constant interaction of this always-online world is crushing my inner peace.

So, once a week I need to shut it down and shut it out. It’s a way of fasting, going without so I can re-focus on God. I have the time then to be still and rest in His presence. I may miss out on a crisis or two of the same blah-blah-blah with bu-hu-hu Facebook drama. But the world goes on. At least His world.

I’m reminded that: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-4)

He may have been talking to Israel about golden calves and carved idols, but I know this means electronic gods, too. Somebody said: 

One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that our lack of prayer was not from lack of time. (John Piper) 

Social media 24/7 became the acceptable addiction of our modern society. Slavery 101101101... 

This world is noisy and information-heavy. How would we even know if God is speaking to us? We’re far too busy and surrounded by noise to notice.

Watching TV or reading secular newspapers and magazine during His time is a no-no since I became a Christian. But my smartphone still pushing me into the temptation of believing that I cannot survive without it. So… after the Sabbath morning worship and fellowship lunch, I am going out walking around city parks and along trails. Unplugged. Letting the world keep going without my clicks.  

My plea to you - be more purposeful about a medialessness Sabbath rest and intentionally fill this space-time continuum with Him. Lingering in His Word, enjoying His creation, resting with family, reading spiritual books, visiting the ill, the discouraged and those afflicted by their FB Joneses. 

Unplugged from the noise and plugged into the essentials, into what really matters. And then stride down the Main Street of my town. Join the ranks of mediaholics who choose to unplug themselves during the 7th day. 

His day.

(Heather King adapt.)