turning my eyes

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

Psalm 119:37

So much stuff vies for the attention of my eyes. For over two decades now, the onslaught of digital demands has clamored for my attention. It is incessant. It makes me think back almost wistfully to my early adulthood when the only choice was to turn on or turn off a television. But now so many things, and many of them just “worthless things” are grabbing for my attention in a constant barrage. David’s call to God in this passage to help him “turn from looking” is an even greater prayer today... at least it should be.

So seriously... digital demands are now creating physical problems in our world. Doctors report that smartphones have created serious posture and bone spur problems in people’s necks and skulls. Young people are getting texting related carpal tunnel injuries. All this incessant looking is literally hurting us and our bodies are trying to tell us to get it under control. The Christian response is to turn to God’s Word, to prayer, to silence, reflection, and self-control as spiritual disciplines to bring balance.

And I haven’t even mentioned the glut of constant and worthless porn now accessible “free” on smartphones, tablets, and screens worldwide. This is the great spiritual and moral deadener, a destroyer of real relationships, a worship-killing monster idol for many, many men and now even many women. It is the ultimate, alluring, worthless thing that we can put in front of our eyes, often thinking it is a private matter, but it bends and shapes us mentally and spiritually in a destructive way.

It is ironic that this is a blog post, sent out into the world to my network of friends and followers. Yes, not all digital communication is worthless. But if anything replaces what God has made for us to enjoy in holiness, we have a real problem from which we must turn. 

Lord,

Worthless things solely for my entertainment can often be so very destructive. Help me turn from them and turn to You. You will give me true life. Your ways will bring me real joy... not the false temporary pain-killing of digital diversion. I want to always know the rich reward of knowing You, and I do not want to be deceived by worthless things!

Amen