Sound like a facetious question? Not. A legitimate wondering. Think about it… When there is something you want to remember, what do you do? The answer is that typically people make a note in their choice of techie devices that is currently their go to. We don’t even try to remember (fill in the blank). And if we’re really savvy, we place the info into our calendar in our device so we cover all the bases. But… just how much do we remember of the initial conversation that caused the inclusion into our techie device?
A different question is… when you are in a conversation with others, when they are talking, do you begin formulating your reply before they are finished? Sometimes that means responding to the first half of their sentence without knowing what the ending may be. Or… think about those times when others have obviously done this to you… what did you think and feel? I think I’ve (finally?) gotten to the point of rude because I typically ask them if they’ve actually listened to what I was saying.
Part of the problem could be that we lead such busy and hectic lives and our techie devices evolved to fill the gap of needing to remember everything! Sometimes I think this defines who we are and that verges on tragic. There’s a delightful ad that shows just one person going against the tide of people coming their way. They keep on their path but do get quizzical looks from others. Maybe that is a message. ???
Where is your head? What are you, and what do you think about? And yes, scripture does speak to this…
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” (Colossians 3:2, AMP)
“…let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the
cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].” (Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)“For there are many, … who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things. But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” ( Philippians 3:18-20, AMP)
All of that tells us what we should concentrate on… how we need to put the right accent on the right syllable… not the wrong sy-lla-ble. Concentration is part of this process. Too often the lack of concentration only means a lack of attention. But we don’t need to be and do this. The more I think about it… concentration is a form of honoring, valuing both the other person as well as the relationship. Ever thought about concentration in this light?
