Disconnect in 2021

     I don't know about you, but when I turn the television off after it has blatted on much of the morning, my shoulders relax and my mind settles down. Why I don't turn it off sooner is often not my choice, my husband is a big TV fan and has been since his youth. He was an only child and just today noted that with their many moves while he was growing up, it often became difficult to make friends so he watched a lot of TV. 

    Television can be comforting when you are at home alone with not much to do. My husband and I were discussing what households must have looked like when illness struck before television and radio existed. What did they do all day? 

    I can actually answer that for myself, if there are not electronics on, I am much more productive. I am much more creative and more energized. Why? It's easier to stay focused on the task at hand, my mind can stay on one thing and not wander to what other's are talking about on the television and texting about on my cellphone. 

    So, it is no wonder that when Jesus was harried from a day of teaching, healing, and walking from town to town, He got away. He spent time in prayer with His Father. He rested. We think we are resting by mindlessly clicking through channels or social media feeds, but that's the thing...it is mindless, but that can cause us to be even more restless. 

    This 2021new year, my New Year's Resolution is to engage my mind, not disconnect it. Because I think there is a disconnect for Christians who spend too much time connected to worldly distractions and not enough time apart with the Lord. What are you going to do this year to grow in Christian maturity and draw nearer to God? 

Mark 1:35 (NIV), "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."