By Jerry Grimes
Our phones don’t just ring anymore; they ding, buzz, and chime, alerting us to the latest news and messages from work, friends, and family. They also remind us of appointments, keep us updated on our never-ending to-do lists, pressure us to be “social” on apps and websites, and urge us to stay occupied every minute of the day. That’s why what you need most right now isn’t the latest time management hack, a new workout routine, or advice on how to “work smarter, not harder.” What you need, more than anything else, is rest from the instant gratification your pocket-sized portal to the world provides.
Science indicates that our screens can be addictive, much like cocaine. Addicts, regardless of their substance of choice, are hooked on the brain chemicals released by these substances. Your brain becomes wired to crave the next dopamine hit from watching a cat video, seeing a friend’s photo on social media, and from those small bits of information you believe keep you “in touch with the office.” Everyone might not have a stash, spoon, candle, or glass pipe, but are still addicted and crave a fix from the glowing rectangle at every opportunity.
That’s why it’s time to do something radical and drastic. Something a bit scary, something for your mind, body, and soul: stop. You need to plan a great escape from your phone.
Thousands of years before Christ, God commanded the Jews to “remember the sabbath and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The sabbath isn’t just another word for Sunday, it means to rest or stop. You need a break from distractions, hurry, and the constant fear of missing out. It’s essential to turn off your phone, put away the tablet, and take some time to rest from continuous distractions.
Before you dismiss the idea as “just not possible for me,” think about what author John Mark Comer states in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry regarding your phone: “Reminder: Your phone doesn’t actually work for you. You pay for it, yes. But it works for a multibillion-dollar corporation in California, not for you. You’re not the customer; you’re the product. It’s your attention that’s for sale, along with your peace of mind.”
A “screen fast” is essential to regain control and maintain peace of mind. Meta, Google, Amazon, and other mega-corporations are cruel taskmasters, and many of their sites and apps have proven addictive. Just stop. Rest. Please turn it off for a while.
Jesus Himself observed the Sabbath and told us it was created for our benefit. He pointed out to Martha that, while she appeared to be doing everything, she wasn’t focusing on the one essential thing: stopping, sitting, and spending time with Him, like her sister Mary was doing. Isn’t that what you need to do, too?
Model your great escape after the ancients. From sundown Friday nights to sunset Sunday evenings, disconnect from the world for a while. Put your phone, laptop or tablet to rest, allowing it to stay dark while you read, pray, make love, and enjoy nature. Try it once and you may discover that it is the rest you need and what you’ve been craving all along.
