I’m embarrassed to admit it but I’ve got a problem.
This problem is hard to see.
Those around me may never notice.
It’s subtle, lurking beneath the surface.
It’s a problem with being present.
(Un)focused
I might look focused and engaged but often I’m not paying attention.
My mind is constantly flashing to things on my to-do list or what I’m going to say in an upcoming meeting. Filtering my mental calendar to figure out when I’m going to finish an assignment for class or, if my macbook’s open, scraping Twitter to finally find…..what is it I’m hoping to find?
I bounce into and out of awareness to my surroundings.
Hop-scotching through emails, social media, opened tabs, text messages, and whoever is sitting next to me.
And it’s not just me.
I’m sure many of you share this struggle too.
The real problem with our lack of focus
While much has been written about our attention deficient times, it’s usually from the perspective of productivity.
While this is important to consider, my concern is much deeper.
Lack of focus isn’t merely a productivity problem. It’s a spiritual one.
And the reason is simple.
If we can never be present to those around us, how will we ever be present to God?
If we can’t focus on those whom God has surrounded us with, the places where he’s placed us, how can we ever be present to God himself?
Our flimsy attention spans leave deep crevices in our souls.
Be what you were made for
We were made and saved to abide in God—to share in the divine life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and abiding requires attention.
It demands presence and slow-loving awareness.
For the sake of my soul, I’m trying to be present. To stop checking email, twitter, and my calendar as if that’s what I’m on this earth for. To slow down, take sacred pauses throughout my day, and be present.
Present to myself.
Present to those around me.
Present to God.
Care to join me on this journey?