In this day and age, most everyone has a smartphone. Smartphones are immensely useful, being able to do things that formerly required multiple devices. I've had an iPhone for many years and I'm constantly amazed at how many functions this one compact device can do. But there's one function that I recently started using regularly that has had arguably the most profound affect on my life.
This function is the "do not disturb" feature. What this button does is it keeps the phone on cellular and/or wi-fi, but disables all alerts. So if I get a text message, email, or even phone call the phone will function normally, but it won't ring or vibrate. In other words, it won't disturb me. The understanding is, I'll get back to that person later.
Interestingly, this seemingly insignificant feature has made a noticable impact on my spiritual life. It can be said that a smartphone is the gateway to the world. Everything is at your fingertips. You can actually do more with your smartphone than you can with any other device. But it's a two-way street. With your smartphone, the whole world can also knock on your door, constantly interrupting whatever you're doing. I've read that many who adopted the Apple Watch have experienced frustrations along these lines. But beyond a constant badgering, there is something deeper in this thought:
Interestingly, this seemingly insignificant feature has made a noticable impact on my spiritual life. It can be said that a smartphone is the gateway to the world. Everything is at your fingertips. You can actually do more with your smartphone than you can with any other device. But it's a two-way street. With your smartphone, the whole world can also knock on your door, constantly interrupting whatever you're doing. I've read that many who adopted the Apple Watch have experienced frustrations along these lines. But beyond a constant badgering, there is something deeper in this thought:
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.
-1 John 5:19
If the whole world lies in the evil one and your smartphone is the gateway to the world, then it shouldn't come as a surprise that God's enemy would constantly interrupt you when you do anything related to God. Hasn't this been your experience? Haven't you gotten a text or Facebook update that distracted you in the middle of a time of prayer? Haven't you received an "important" email during a church meeting that commanded your attention but really could have waited till after?
The truth is, even the possibility of receiving a call, text, or email draws us to our phones and away from the Lord. Perhaps it's curiosity. Regardless, our smartphone unconsciously occupies a percentage of our attention, even when we're not using it. If we hear "ding" or sense a slight vibration in our pocket, our mind immediately darts to our smartphone. Is this just me?
The only way to sever this connection is to remove the possibility of receiving an alert. I hear a "ding" but know it's someone else's phone. I feel a vibration in my leg—must be a muscle spasm. Unaffected, we continue to behold and absorb the Lord. Airplane mode is too unpredictable because we'll never know who called us and text only sometimes make it through once we've switched it off. Do not disturb mode is the ideal solution. It's basically like having an answering machine that says, "I'm too busy spending time with God. I'll call or text you back when I'm finished."
Try it out the next time you pray, read the Bible, or go to a church meeting.
The truth is, even the possibility of receiving a call, text, or email draws us to our phones and away from the Lord. Perhaps it's curiosity. Regardless, our smartphone unconsciously occupies a percentage of our attention, even when we're not using it. If we hear "ding" or sense a slight vibration in our pocket, our mind immediately darts to our smartphone. Is this just me?
The only way to sever this connection is to remove the possibility of receiving an alert. I hear a "ding" but know it's someone else's phone. I feel a vibration in my leg—must be a muscle spasm. Unaffected, we continue to behold and absorb the Lord. Airplane mode is too unpredictable because we'll never know who called us and text only sometimes make it through once we've switched it off. Do not disturb mode is the ideal solution. It's basically like having an answering machine that says, "I'm too busy spending time with God. I'll call or text you back when I'm finished."
Try it out the next time you pray, read the Bible, or go to a church meeting.