It happened again – A guy in front of me at a stop light was paying attention to his cell phone instead of the light. When the light turned green, I gave him four or five seconds and then tapped the horn a couple of times. He looked up, waved apologetically and hit the gas. I assume he was either answering texts or checking his news feeds.
What vies for your attention? Cell phones are given an inordinate amount of attention in our personal lives. Time is the most valuable gift given to another person. Undivided attention is the value put on that time. Divided attention with phone notifications distracting one or both parties, conveys little value. Pay attention to the right stuff.
Pay close attention to your life and doctrine; Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1Timothy 4:16. You are in the sixth week of the Pentecost challenge – just two more weeks to go! This week we covered Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and 1st and 2nd Timothy. Paul has given many warnings on paying attention – Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ (Col. 2:8-9), and put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry (3:5). He encouraged the Colossians to, act wisely toward outsiders, … Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person (4:5-6), and the Thessalonians, reminding them the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one (2Thes.3:3). To Timothy he was specific – instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies (1Tim.1:3), and he calls overseers, which certainly includes dads, to be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy – one who manages his own household competently (3:2-4). The evil one is at work 24/7 to kill, steal and destroy but the Lord has come so we may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). In this passage, Paul’s charge is to pay close attention to the right stuff, God stuff, what is important in your life. The doctrine as a Christian is to live under the authority of God’s word and into a personal, passionate and growing relationship with Jesus the Christ. To persevere in them is to stay alert to, and rebuke distractions that inhibit seeing Christ in the person before you. As you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers, your family and those near you. Pay attention to the right stuff and enjoy life to the full by the grace of God our Father.
Put the phones in another room during dinner and family time, and when you are reading the word of God – Enjoy the Pentecost challenge and Pay Attention to the right stuff.
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and the message through Your servant Paul. I confess I paid a lot of attention to the wrong stuff well before cell phones existed. Now I pay too much attention to, and grant too much authority to the phone in my hand. Forgive me. Help me convey value to the blessings of time with my bride, family and friends by paying close attention to them when together. Guide me through this Pentecost challenge and equip me to bring my children up to pay attention to the right stuff. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father pays attention to the right stuff and enjoys life to the full.
