Even though I tend to be a fan of technology, it seems like there’s no escaping it, even if you wanted to. In our post-modern, digital world, it’s easy to be busy around the clock: our cell phones are always on and everyone expects their text messages and emails to be answered instantaneously. You might even crawl into bed with your tablet, checking out your Facebook page or playing a game to “wind down.”

It’s safe to say that for most of us, our work and our technology can consume our days and our nights.

Citizens of the ancient world saw no such conveniences, of course. They entertained themselves in other ways, usually in groups: true face-to-face fellowship at its best. Even so, they managed to be distracted from the ways of the Lord.

But, God wants our attention. God wants to be the One who fills our thoughts day and night. I know that sounds like a tall order; after all, how many of us live in a monastic setting?

The psalmist writes:

Happy are those...whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. —Psalm 1:2

How can that translate for us, in our world, with all of our distractions and everyday jobs? As we ready ourselves for Christ’s death and resurrection, we ought to turn ourselves to prayer. Lent is a prime time for exploring God’s word, spending time in prayer, and meditating on Scripture. Ask God to help you carve out more time to sit in His holy presence, and God will. Even though we may not lead a monastic lifestyle, the more time we spend talking to God and (even more importantly) listening to God, the more our thoughts return to God and God’s ways. Through consistent prayer and reflection on Scripture, it becomes possible to spend more of our days and nights thinking spiritu- al thoughts.

This Lenten season, I invite you to join us here at Oak Lawn Baptist as we reflect on God’s word in Bible Study, Worship and Fellowship.