Have you ever found yourself in a room full of people, yet everyone is staring at their screens? Conversations replaced with scrolling, connection substituted with distraction? I know I have. And if you’re honest, you probably have too.
The truth is, we’re not short on communication; we’re drowning in it. We scroll endlessly, consuming information at an alarming rate, yet our souls feel emptier than ever. Blaise Pascal once said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” If he were alive today, he’d probably be shocked at how accurate his words still are.
What Is All This Scrolling Doing to Our Souls?
Recent studies reveal that the average person spends nearly 2.5 hours per day on social media. That’s more than 900 hours a year—almost 40 full days—spent glued to a screen. And if we’re not careful, that kind of mindless consumption begins to shape us.
As followers of Christ, we have to ask: What is all this scrolling doing to our souls? Are we truly connected, or are we just entertained? Are we being shaped by God’s Word, or by the world’s algorithm? The reality is, social media is designed to keep us engaged for as long as possible—not to nurture our faith, not to deepen our relationships, but to keep us scrolling.
I’m not here to tell you to throw away your phone or delete all your apps. But I do believe we need to be more intentional about how we engage with the digital world.
Learning from Mary and Martha
There’s a story in the Gospel of Luke that perfectly mirrors our modern struggle with distraction. In Luke 10:38-42, we meet two sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus visits their home, and while Martha is busy preparing everything, Mary simply sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words.
Martha, frustrated, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha wasn’t wrong for serving—her mistake was being consumed by it. And isn’t that how we often are? We’re so caught up in the noise, the tasks, the endless digital distractions, that we miss out on simply being present with God. Mary chose the better thing. She chose to sit in the presence of Jesus.
How Do We Reclaim Our Focus?
So how do we break free from the endless scroll and refocus on what truly matters? Here are some practical ways:
- Start Your Day with Jesus, Not Your Phone Before you reach for your phone in the morning, reach for your Bible. Pray, reflect, and center your heart on God. If using a Bible app tempts you to check notifications first, try going old-school—pick up a physical Bible.
- Create Digital Boundaries Turn off unnecessary notifications. Set app limits. Maybe even designate certain times of the day as screen-free zones. Trust me, the world will still be there when you get back.
- Take a Weekly Social Media Sabbath Choose one day a week to unplug. Instead of scrolling, spend that time with your family, in prayer, or simply enjoying the world around you.
- Be Intentional About What You Consume Not all content is bad, but not all content is beneficial. Ask yourself: Is this drawing me closer to God? Is it helping me grow? If not, it might be time to hit “unfollow.”
- Move from Consumer to Creator Instead of just passively scrolling, use your platform to share encouragement, Scripture, or testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Be a light in the digital world.
- Prioritize Real-World Connections Put your phone down. Look people in the eye. Engage in deep conversations. Be present with those around you.
The Call to Transformation
Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
This isn’t just about quitting social media or reducing screen time—it’s about reclaiming our minds, our focus, and our connection with God. It’s about choosing the better part, just like Mary did. It’s about moving from distraction to devotion, from worry to worship, from passive consumption to active faith.
So, what’s your next step? Maybe it’s setting a timer for your social media use. Maybe it’s choosing to read Scripture before scrolling. Whatever it is, start today.
Let’s break free from the scroll and step into a life that is full, present, and deeply connected to God. Amen?
