Chaplain’s Chat

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Adam Holz shares: Technology today seems to demand our constant attention. The modern ‘miracle’ of the internet gives us the amazing capacity to access humanity’s collective learning int eh pal of our hand. But for many, such constant access can come at a cost.

Writer Linda Stone has coined the phrase ‘continual partial attention’ to describe the modern impulse to always need to know what’s happening out there, and to make sure we’re not missing anything. If that sounds like it could produce anxiety, you’re right.

Even though the apostle Paul struggled with various reasons for anxiety, he know our souls are wired to find peace in God. This is why he concludes his letter to new believers with an encouragement to ‘rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances’.

Praying continually might seem pretty daunting. But then, how often do we check our phones? What if we instead, let that urge be a prompt to talk to God? More important, what if we exchanged a need to be in ‘the know’ for continual, prayerful rest in God’s Presence? Through relying on God’s Spirit, we can learn to give our Heavenly Father our continual full attention as we make our way through each day.

Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us to have a relationship with you. Help us to have regular and meaningful conversations with you, and giving you our full attention. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Chaplain Ron