May I Have Your Attention, Please?

Let’s play a short game called “Where Is My Attention?”. Won’t take but a few seconds, but those few seconds may bolster your hope for the day.

Start with the most recent sixty minutes of your life. Go back one hour from the time you clicked on this post. Now, what held your attention during that hour?

Your answer probably depends on the time of day you’re reading this. That’s okay. The reason for the question is simply to help you become aware of how you spend your time.

Now that you’ve asked the question, let’s expand the horizon a bit. What about the last four hours?

The last eight?

Twelve?

Gets a little harder with each increment, doesn’t it?

It’s three o’clock. If I revisit the hour prior to writing this post, the breakdown of activities from most time spent to least is:

1. Writing the first draft of my current book (most time)
2. Exercise
3. Family time
4. Engaging on Twitter
5. Checking Facebook (least time)

If I expand the horizon to eight hours, it changes a little.

1. Writing the first draft of my current book
2. Family time
3. Engaging on Twitter
4. Exercise
5. Doing my devotion and praying
6. Checking Facebook

My observations may be different than yours, but in general terms, it’s been a good writing day. I’ve had quality time with my wife and sister. Okay, in all honesty, I also shared their time with Twitter. I’m also getting a little exercise in.

Ha! Check it out, clearly, I am NOT owned by my Facebook time. I should feel good about all that.

I don’t. Devotions and prayer fell below four other activities. May not be a big deal, but losing to Twitter time? Ugh. Plus, the categories don’t reflect it, but some of the time spent with my family was also while doing my devotion and praying. Not the quality I’m looking for.

You may be thinking, “Let’s be fair. If you didn’t do devotions during a given hour it wouldn’t show up. Maybe it wouldn’t show up in four hours or eight. And, when you expand the time, surely, your time in prayer will appear diminishing.”

“Our hope increases with increased time in the Word.”

May I Have Your Attention, Please? Share on X

Consider what the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 1:1-2 (NASB).

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Hmm… day and night. I encourage you to consider doing something I plan to do. Ask, “Am I giving my attention to the right activities? Am I infusing time with God in all other activities when appropriate?” There is no formula, but I find my hope increases with increased time in the God’s Word.

I’d love to hear the grade you give yourself, especially if you get an A+.

Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.