Pastor's Corner

22 Sep
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Mid-Week Challenge

Do you have trouble concentrating?  Are you easily distracted?  Did you know that the average attention span for a goldfish is nine seconds?  Surely you are not as bad as a goldfish, right?  According to a study conducted a few years ago by Microsoft, humans generally lose concentration after eight seconds, which they attributed to the effects of increased use of smart devices on the brain.

Researchers surveyed 2,000 participants and studied the brain activity of 112 others using electroencephalograms (EEGs). Microsoft found that since the year 2000 (or about when the mobile revolution began) the average attention span dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds.  “Heavy multi-screeners find it difficult to filter out irrelevant stimuli — they’re more easily distracted by multiple streams of media,” the report read.

On the positive side, the report says our ability to multitask has drastically improved in the mobile age. Microsoft theorized that the changes were a result of the brain’s ability to adapt and change itself over time and a weaker attention span may be a side effect of evolving to a mobile Internet.  The survey also confirmed generational differences for mobile use; for example, 77% of people aged 18 to 24 responded “yes” when asked, “When nothing is occupying my attention, the first thing I do is reach for my phone,” compared with only 10% of those over the age of 65. https://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/

Congratulations, you made it to the midpoint in the midweek challenge! Maybe your attention span isn’t that bad.  One of the things we give up with all the technological conveniences is the peace we once had to sit through a TV show, movie or dinner conversation without checking our phone.  At times our devices seem to have control over us.  Yes, we are able to stay in contact with more people, know more about the world around us and be available but what has that done to the tranquility of a moment alone to ourselves?  We struggle with paying attention, but the thing that is lost is our ability to listen to our own self.  It’s impossible to know what you like and what you enjoy when you are being told by so many outside forces what to believe and what to do.  With all we have gained I believe we have lost our personal peace and identity in the Lord during this advancement process.  

Today, take a moment to put the phone down and internet away for just a moment and listen to that still small voice inside.  I’m sure it has been awhile since you have had a moment alone with the Lord.  Don’t worry, He hasn’t gone anywhere, He’s been waiting for a few minutes of your time.  You will have His full attention! 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Serving the Savior,

Bro. Jonathan

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

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