Psalm 119:37-40

“Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vs. 37 

The psalmist could not be more clear! He asks the Lord to preserve his eyes from looking at vanities, which we could probably translate as “keep me from wasting my precious time looking at my phone!” It is estimated that the average person spends about five hours a day squinting at those little screens we carry with us through every waking hour and that sit by our beds at night. This is a seismic shift in the way humans have come to use their time, and we wonder at the consequences.

Of course there are some who believe that this change is good, and that our phones allow us to stay connected to our families and the world as never before. But others can’t help but note the costs. A phone is no substitute for personal conversation with all its nuances, and it certainly removes us from any contact from the natural world. Flowers are not just meant to be seen, they yearn to share their scents and textures as well, and they thrive when tended. And no matter how precious the ubiquitous cat videos are, they are no substitute for the warmth of a purring kitten.

The psalmist asks for life according to the ways of the Lord, a full and rich life that will abound with acts of love, kindness, and affection. It could be that walking in those ways will mean setting aside our phones!

Thought for the day: How do I waste my time?