Something to think about......

On attention and intention

Feb 27, 2025

I think it’s time for me to go on a diet.

I’ve been consuming too much junk lately, and it’s starting to take a toll on my health.

It’s been in the works for a while now, if I’m honest.

A few months ago, I deleted the last games off my phone. Goodbye, Solitaire Cash! I no longer see dancing hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds when I close my eyes at night…but I still don’t know what to reach for when my fingers start itching to sort card after card into neat, technicolor piles.

Rewriting the brain isn’t as simple as pressing “Permanently Delete,” it seems.

Call it a digital version of California sober. I cut out the harder stuff; I sacrificed one vice to avoid evaluating the others.

It worked for a minute, but it’s not working anymore. I knew it wasn’t enough then; I just wanted to live in delusion for a little while longer.

But if anything is clear, it’s that it’s now past time for me to go on some kind of digital diet. The outrage machine is improper fuel; I need to turn my attention toward something else.

A new regimen

What is a worthy object of my attention?

We return to Paul’s letter to the Philippians for the answer:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8–9

This exhortation comes at the end of a letter of encouragement, friendship, and thanksgiving. After expressing gratitude for financial support and charging the members of the church at Philippi to stand strong amidst persecution, Paul (and his cowriter, Timothy) close their letter with these words.

The world of the early Christians was hostile to the faith; no one understood that more intimately than Paul, a persecuter-turned-martyr who was “imprison[ed] for Christ”1 even as he penned this letter. What Paul’s advocating here isn’t a “toxic positivity” that shirks responsibility; not a lifestyle “so heavenly minded” that it’s “no earthly good;” not a denial of truth in favor of comfort.

Instead, he’s anticipating the problems of the 21st century and providing a vetted solution.

And now I want to ask you to do something scary. I want you to think about all the media you’ve consumed in over the last week and test it against the standard that Paul provided here.

A quick audit of my media intake over the last several weeks fails this litmus test on multiple counts. I’m obsessing over politics. Stressing about what random people think. Worrying about things I need to buy. Hoping the next swipe will give me the satisfaction I’m looking for. Wishing my life was as easy as the person on the screen’s appears to be.

In fact, most of what I take in — social media and otherwise — is probably the exact opposite of what Paul is describing.

Is it true? That’s complicated at best.
Is it honorable? Far from it. That doesn’t get clicks!
Is it just? Rarely. There’s always an angle, always an “other side” that needs to look bad.
Is it pure? Hardly.
Is it lovely? “Perfect love casts out fear.” So…no.
Is it commendable? Nah.
Is it excellent? Sometimes. But not usually.
Is it praiseworthy? I think you know the answer to this one.

I’ll admit that I’m being a bit facetious. I’m not only consuming junk. It’s more gluttony than malnourishment. There’s good, redeemable stuff in there — quality books, meaningful music, wholesome entertainment — but there’s also a lot of mindless consumption, empty calories.

The things we put in our minds shape us, for better or for worse. That’s why this matters so much.

But what about???

I can already hear your protests, because they’re my protests, too.

But I need to be informed!! I need to know what’s going on! I want to keep up with the people I know and love, whose lives I only find out about through these channels! This media is fun and entertaining! What will I do without it?

I’ll answer each objection in turn…and I’m really talking to myself here:

But I need to be informed!! For sure. But, consider whether the information you’re taking in is actually valuable. Research in pursuit of deeper knowledge is good; information for information’s sake isn’t always.2
I need to know what’s going on! Again, probably true. But I picked up my phone over 100 times in one day this week. There’s no world in which every notification that came across my screen, every action that I took upon picking my phone up (or turning on the TV, or navigating to a different website on my computer) actually provided me with information that will change the way I interact in the world (beyond making me more anxious).
I want to keep up with people! No problems here! We live in a multimedia world, which means that we have multimedia relationships. Just be intentional with your engagement.
This media is fun and entertaining! There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. I believe that a good story is a Good Thing, but not every story is good. How is it shaping you? Your language? Your desires? Your worldview? A few years ago, Carson and I would watch an episode of Criminal Minds every night before bed…and for months, I laid awake at night thinking of all the ways someone might break into our apartment. We stopped watching the show, and the threat suddenly seemed much smaller. Definitely not a coincidence.
What will I do without it? Something better and more fulfilling! Have a conversation, spend time in prayer, read something challenging, do something with your hands, take a walk, help a friend.

I’m not asking you to throw your phone, television, and iPad into the fires of Mount Doom. This may be a total non-issue for you.

Regardless, Paul’s exhortation is for you. Consider what you’re taking in and how it’s influencing you. Reflect and observe. Ask God to make you aware of the forces that are vying for your attention and intentionally submit your focus to his Spirit instead.

If you, like me, feel like you need a hard reset, now is the perfect time. Lent starts next Wednesday, March 5.

Lent is not 75 Hard. It’s not a self-help, personal development program; it’s a period of submission through fasting and prayer in preparation to honor and celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It’s a special period with roots that stretch back to the time of the apostles, a time to be encouraged by the fellowship of believers and refreshed in your spiritual disciplines. I hope you’ll consider participating this year in whatever way you can!