“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11: 28-30
*Ring ring*
*Ding*
*Bing*
*Buzzzzz*
It seems like in this day and age, that's the noise in our busy lives. Where it used to be chatter, on going conversations in the middle of the aisle at the grocery store, it seems to of turned to those above sounds, and rush. Its turned family nights into couch potato nights where all sit around and scroll through the current events of the day. I admit it, I'm guilty. Not only does it lead to isolation, and comparison. Yes, that's right. Comparison. The thief of joy. However, if you want to see a topic on that, it's in a previous blog. It also leads to, anxiety, restlessness, worry, anger, and i could go on and on. You name it, it's there. Its an addiction in so many lives today. If you don't think you are addicted to that little device in your hand, you probably are.
When we let the addiction of technology take over, there are so many things that it could lead to. We do compare ourselves, to not only those on our friends list, but those who are plastered all over the news. Which turns into worrying about the amount of likes we have on a certain post, or picture, or why isn't so and so responding when I SAW that it was "read", or "opened." You see where this is heading? We then begin to have self-esteem issues, because we cant measure up to someone or something, that doesn't or shouldn't define..us..
...that's right. Most of the things that you are trying to measure up to don't..define..you.
Yet, we let it. We let that negative comment define us. We allow that person to come into our lives and tell us who we are going to measure up to define us. We let that significant other who tells us we aren't good enough define us. We let a picture that doesn't get 200 likes define us. But, why?! To make us feel better? To make us look better.
Here's the thing:: If you are striving to be like someone else here on this earth, or vicariously live life through someone else, you won't be better. In the end, that will lead to a very unhappy, unsuccessful person. So grab onto something deeper, something worth defining you!
In Matthew 11, God is telling us to come to him all who are weary and heavy burdened. Not those who are perfect. When the noise of comparison, the need to know whats going on in someone's life, the want/need to be someone who you're not starts to wear you down, tear you down, and leave you downright exhausted, God says "come to me." You see, he provides an everlasting truth that he is there, not to harm you, not to call you inadequate, and not to ask you to measure up to something that isn't good. He says, "come to me, I love you, as I always have." He wants us to take away the noise of rejection, and self-hate, low self- esteem, and he wants to show us how much he loves us! It comes with a price though.
God wants us to come to Him, but that's just it. We have to come to Him. We have to take up the cross, and run into His arms. Having a relationship with God should be more than the earthly relationships we have. Non-distracted and open. That means putting down your device, and opening up your bible, or sitting down to pray. That's communication with God! It isn't just the worship or the Sunday mornings. Its about the relationship! So with that being said, I am taking some of my own steps, and practicing what I preach. I will be honest, and most know that I do let my device override me life sometimes. From my relationship with God, to my very own family time. That's not to say we should never be on our phones, but there's definitely a time and a place.
.Unplugged.
Starting in April, I will be unplugging. I will be taking away social media, on all platforms, for a time being. I am doing this, in order to spend more time with my family, and with God. And point blank, not putting everything we do out there. I am choosing to rest. So this is a challenge that I am taking on. Anyone willing to join? :)
