Drowning in the Word? Finding Focus in a Sea of Faith Content
Do you ever feel like you're surrounded by so much Christian content that it starts to lose its impact?
I might be alone in this, but the Bible and theological contemplation have filled a big chunk of the “entertainment“ part of my life. I wake up in the morning, and instead of putting on the news I put on the Daily Audio Bible. When I go for a run, instead of listening to music. I listen the BibleProject, sermons, or podcasts about Christian thinking. Every time I do a task by myself that does not involve critical thinking, I put on an audiobook or podcast, 90%+ of which are sermons, theology, church leadership, or related manners.
Now before you start thinking that I’m just bragging, let me share my problem. With this “wall of sound” coming from me, I could be formed increasingly into the likeness of Christ … or … I could increasingly become numb to the things of Jesus and start taking them for granted.
Am I truly absorbing all this, or has it become background noise?
Our two-year-old is hanging out with more little kids, and we are finding gaps in her immune system. A bunch of her friends had minor sniffles, but for her, it turned into a major cold. This is because she has not yet been around enough other dirty toddlers to be fully inoculated against common colds.
Our immune systems get stronger when we take viruses in and then our body builds up antibodies against them. That’s how vaccines work also. They give you just a little bit of the chickenpox or flu so that your body learns how to fight it.
Similarly, hours of spiritual podcasts and days filled with Bible study can easily become noise. We find ourselves inoculated to wonder. What our souls often crave is five minutes of truly focused reflection.
And I know I'm not alone in this. We're bombarded with Christian content: emails, blogs, social media posts, and more. It's easy to get caught up in the constant stream of information and lose sight of the transformative power of individual verses and moments of quiet contemplation.
So how do we combat this spiritual "noise pollution"?
Be intentional: Instead of passively consuming, actively engage with the content. Take notes, underline key verses, and discuss what you're learning with others.
Prioritize quality over quantity: It's not about how much you consume, but how deeply you engage with it. Choose a few key resources and truly delve into them.
Create space for silence: Carve out time for quiet reflection and prayer. Allow the truths you've learned to sink in and take root.
Put it into practice: Don't just hear the Word, but do it. Apply the principles you're learning to your daily life.
Remember the wise builder who built his house on solid ground, not a pile of rocks? He focused on quality, not quantity. Let's strive to do the same in our spiritual lives. Let's not just be hearers of the Word, but doers also.
With You;
Pastor Tim
