September 4, 2017
Look Where You’re Going
Arlene Pellicane
Today’s Truth
“Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6, NIV)
Friend to Friend
I live in a suburban neighborhood. As my family of five pulled out of the driveway in our minivan, we were about to encounter a very strange sight.
There - smack dab in the middle of the road - was a teen girl.
She was walking away from us, right in the center of the street. Her eyes were glued to her phone. She walked slowly, completely unaware of her surroundings (including our two-ton vehicle quickly approaching).
As we got closer in our van, I capitalized on this larger-than-life teachable moment.
“Kids, do you see that girl? Is she even aware we are here? Why is it dangerous to stare at your phone, especially when you’re in the middle of the street?”
My husband James was having a lot of fun with this. He followed her slowly, not passing her so she wouldn’t be startled. We were all curious about how long it would take her to realize she was being stalked by the mighty minivan. Would she get scared? Embarrassed?
To our utter surprise, she did not notice us. She turned the corner (still in the middle of the street) and then veered to the left, getting on the sidewalk.
She never looked up once as we drove by.
How much she missed by her preoccupation with her phone above all else! She averted danger and didn’t even know it. You and I (hopefully) won’t be walking down the middle of the street anytime soon, but perhaps there are times when we’re buried in our phones instead of looking where we’re going in life.
In Genesis 15, we see that Abram (who would later be renamed Abraham) didn’t have any offspring. He was a wealthy man with no heir. His quest for a son characterized much of his life. When he looked to make his servant Eliezer his heir, the Lord told him He had a different plan. “Look to the sky and see if you can number the stars. So shall your descendants be.”
Like Abram, when we look up from our phones and into the promises of God, the sky is the limit. We are not designed to be plugged into a device 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead we blessed when we meditate on the law of the Lord day and night (Psalm 1:2). Which promises of God are you standing on? Are you walking by faith with an expectant heart?
The next you are taking a walk outside, make sure your phone is in your pocket or purse. Look up into the sky God has created. The heavens declare His majesty if we will stop to listen. Don’t blindly follow the crowds with your head down, buried in your texts, emails, posts, and pins. Look around for your physical safety and look up to God for the safety of your soul.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I look up to You today. You are my hope, deliverer, refuge, and strength. I know You will keep every one of Your promises. Give me wisdom to turn off my phone more often and turn toward the Word of God instead.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you find yourself looking down at your phone more and more? Make a point to put your phone in your pocket or purse while you’re walking around today and at mealtimes. Look up to the sky and praise God for what He is doing in your life.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help taming your technology? Learn five easy steps to transform your daily life in Arlene’s new book Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life.
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Originally published Monday, 04 September 2017.
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