Recently I noticed I was really behind in my book count for the year, which made me assess why I wasn’t reading as much. It was not because I had a major downward shift in my free time. (Opposite in fact, we are in summer mode with MORE free time!) It was not because I was in a book desert and there were no appealing books on the horizon. (Opposite in fact, I have SO many great books gathering dust, crying to be read.)

When I thought about it, I realized I had also felt very distracted recently and had been having a hard time focusing for extended periods. Oh man, signs of too much technology started jumping out everywhere: high stress, high anxiety, high distraction, low focus, high comparison to others, low contentment and low peace. BUMMMERR.

But thank you Jesus, He helped me recognize what was going on and get on my knees and confess and ask forgiveness for wasting His time that He gave me, not taking care of my mind that He created, and asking for His grace and help. As always, His grace and forgiveness poured out and I was so grateful for His loving care and reasssurance.

The very next book I picked up after that confession was Jackie Hill Perry’s, “Upon Waking” and it was a divinely orchestrated moment:

It’s no wonder that when it’s time to pray, the length and consistency of the prayer suffers under the weight of a mind that’s completely uncomfortable with boredom…

“Think of boredom during silent prayer as an act of purification”, one pastor recommends, “in this uneventful moment, God purifies us of the false gods of good feelings. Silent prayer is often something I want to avoid because it forces me to exorcise the demons of excitement, stimulation, and distraction.”

How gracious is the Lord to send me this confirmation?? YES, I was absolutely hearing Him correctly and He was right there with me, ready to empower me to shift things and help me discipline myself better.

I am concerned about the lack of solitude & prayer time in the daily lives of the majority of God’s people. I am concerned what all the stimulation, constant noise, and entertainment are doing to our brains and souls. I am concerned that so few people daily read the Bible, books, newspaper articles, magazines, or anything requiring over 30 seconds of their attention. I am concerned how quickly it happens to me when I am not vigilant to make sure I get daily prayer time, technology-free pockets, and times of focused attention for deep thoughts.

BUT I know He is here helping me and He will do the same for others… I want to dwell in the deep places with Him.

Heavenly Father, help me discipline my brain like you have been helping me discipline my body. Help me fast from the brain junk food so readily available. Help me daily get quality, nutritional thoughts from your Word & brain rest in prayer with you, the Bread of Life. All the people in our society that are yearning for practices of meditation, mindfulness, focus…… it’s a symptom of how much still-ness is needed. Please Lord let YOUR people pave the way and be the example of how to deeply drink of the Living Water. WE are to be the souls at rest. WE are to be the ones able to give up anything you ask, for your glory and our good! WE are the ones who daily take time to lie down in green pastures, besides the quiet waters you’ve led us to, so that you can refresh us. WE are to be your ambassadors and show how ABUNDANT LIFE is a contented life in Jesus: a heart, mind, soul that does not need constant entertainment, praise, affirmations, attention, productivity…. but instead one who is truly ABIDING in the VINE, Jesus. A person who is being freed from self and things of this world more and more and can truly rest and BE STILL and KNOW that YOU ARE GOD, and this world and anything in it including SELF – is not. I surrender to you once again and ask you to remind me often that YOU are worthy of our praise and attention and worship and YOU are the most intriguing, captivating, fulfilling Being and nothing compares to you. Reveal yourself to me more more more and give me faith to believe that the work of disciplining the mind and body to you, will be so worth any effort and you will free me more and more from the pull the self and the world has on me with all it’s shiny distractions, entertainment, and excitement. For your glory, Jesus!