Faith & Everyday Life · Quietness & Connection
Back to 1985
“There is a big beautiful world with God that we can miss if locked into devices, television, and screens.”
From Misti’s reflection
Imagine waking to a world with no television screens, no cell phone, no computers, and only one book in your home—the Bible.
How would your life be different? What more would you accomplish? How would your intimacy change with God? How would it change your relationship with other people and your community?
Take away those 3 things: cell phone, television, and computer and tell me…
How would this affect your life spiritually?
I’ve been telling my friends recently that I want to go back to 1985, before all these things were a time-sucking distraction in my life. Imagine, no email inbox, no Messenger inbox, no voicemails, answering machines, text messages. Just imagine. The only option back then was to pick up the phone and actually speak to someone; it limited the clutter. If we heard the phone ring and were busy with something and couldn’t answer, we didn’t panic at all. We simply knew if it was important they would call back. We didn’t allow a billion distractions (world events, media, inboxes, advertisements, opinions galore, information) to rob us of the plan God had set before us that day.
I told my children today:
“There is a big beautiful world with God that we can miss if locked into devices, television, and screens. They can truly control your life. Get out there and connect with real people. Never let devices STEAL your life passion by robbing your mind of the opportunity to experience QUIETNESS as you do things throughout your day—this is where God whispers to us, where He speaks His plan and purpose for us and shares the insights of His kingdom and glory.
In the quietness is friendship and intimacy, power and strength! Devices, even when well-meaning, can rob you of your ability to think, reason, dream, and imagine! Devices can steal this from us! Even scrolling through endless videos on YouTube listening to other people speak robs you of hearing the Voice of the Lord for YOURSELF. God wants to speak to us directly in our hearts and minds. However, if they are constantly distracted, this makes it incredibly difficult to hear these intimate whispers from our Lord. Even worse, it can flood our minds and hearts with the wrong voices! Music can be used to create an atmosphere of praise unto the Lord or an instrument of depression and hexes ushering a life into destruction and despair.
Give your mind time to wonder and commune with God. Don’t just wake and grab your phone! We have to stop doing this! Satan is using these devices against God’s children. We are not powerless. God has placed heaven within us to be felt and enjoyed. He’s given us His son that abides in us. Despite the craziness of the world, we possess a greater promise! Utilize it and never let worldly distractions steal that from you.”
I’ve realized I can “go back to 1985!” I can even go back to 1900 if I want. Life is full of choices! While it may not look the same, the same result can be achieved.
Sit down and answer your messages once a day, maybe even once a week. They survived with letters and mailboxes in the past. I promise if you don’t return that message back within 48 hours, life will still resume. There are a lot of people that desperately need a lesson in patience. We’ve lost that in this instant-grit society.
Leave your phone in one room where you can hear it ring. Don’t take it outside with you. If you miss a call, call them back later when you have time or better yet—at a designated time when you have finished stewarding the things God has given you. Emergencies are rare. Don’t live in fear. Phones literally control people and have become an appendage to their lives. The generation we live in doesn’t even know how to eat a meal without checking their phones. This is a disaster of epic proportions.
There are so many ways you can create a world around you that allows you to experience greater intimacy with God, which in turn yields more peace and soul prosperity.
You have a back porch and you never use it.
You have a beautiful cup of tea but never drink it.
You have wood for the fire but never burn it.
You have a hammock but never lie in it.
You have stars above your head but never gaze upon them.
You have a pen and paper but never write with them.
You have dogs but never play with them.
You have children but never talk to them when you sit at the table and eat.
Is this living? What would change in your world without 3 things dominating it: your phone, your television, and your computer?
For some, it would save their marriage.
For some, the added prayer time would save their children from the snare of the evil one.
For some, the added time in the presence of God worshipping and delighting in Him would open their eyes to see in the Spirit.
These 3 devices have stolen so much from us. It’s up to US if we allow it to continue.
Now, you’ve scrolled long enough. Put down your phone, and GO LIVE. Stop being a hearer. Go DO. Try silence in your home as you go about your day. Watch what happens when you quiet your mind and heart from the distractions. Your entire life will change! If you do this, get ready—a whole new world is going to open up for you!!! 🎶
Misti Rains Kantor
Newer reflection: The Way of Love
Earlier reflection: Whose Side Are You On?
Return to The Morning Mist