Don’t Starve Your Soul On Soundbites!

In our fast-paced soundbite culture, it’s become all too easy to believe that we can grasp even the important things in quick, digestible snippets. We’ve convinced ourselves that our attention spans are far too short for anything deep or meaningful, like spending quality time with God. 

But in reality, we all possess the ability to focus for extended periods of time when we are truly captivated.

Think about the last time you were engrossed in a one-hour TV show, a thrilling football game, or a Netflix binge session. Did you struggle to pay attention? Did you even forgo basic needs? We’ve all been there…pausing our favorite show to jet to the bathroom, get a drink, and plop back down on the couch as quickly as possible. 

Do we ever do that when we study God’s Word?

So, when we claim that our LIMITED attention span prohibits us from learning God’s Word in mere “sound bites”, we’re not being entirely honest with ourselves. The worst lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves! If we are truly interested in knowing God on a deeper level, the question we SHOULD ask is: 

Why aren’t we as captivated by God’s Word and His presence as we are by our favorite entertainment?

Perhaps it is because we haven’t truly experienced His presence. If God’s presence were the most satisfying and precious part of our lives, we’d eagerly spend hours in His company. 

We WOULD 100% make MORE time for God!

I must confess that for most of my Christian life, I didn’t have that compelling and addictive experience with God. I never took the time to truly know Him. Consequently, studying His Word, sitting in His presence, and listening for His guidance felt like a chore. The world and the devil have succeeded in portraying God as unattractive, and my lack of desire for His presence was proof. But that is our enemies’ plan—to keep us from discovering the goodness of God that comes from immersing ourselves in His Word, meditating on His greatness, praying, or sitting in silence to hear His voice.

Why does Satan care so much about distracting us???

Because He knows that when we fall in love with God, he can’t compete and his wiles won’t work on us. When we absorb God’s Word and bask in His presence, we are filled with immense power, wisdom, and love. The experience of His presence is so invaluable that the enemy strives to keep us in ignorance of it. But let me assure you, once you taste God’s presence, you’ll find nothing else as desirable as Him.

Once you’ve encountered His presence, your heart will echo the words of the Psalmist: 

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. 

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ 

So, let us NEVER be content with sound bites and shallow encounters with God. Instead, let us seek His presence with a hunger and thirst that can only be satisfied by drawing near to Him. In His presence, we find the power, wisdom, and love that our soul craves.

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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