2010-02-09 - Monotasking

Author's Note: This week, we'll take a brief break from our "Bad Guys" of the Bible series, and we'll resume it next week, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" (country saying). I would also like to say that I appreciate the feedback on this devotional, as we all do on anything we write.

For the last couple decades, I have found myself constantly multi-tasking, as I’m sure that many of you do. But it’s not only at work that I catch myself feeling I need to do several things at once; I engage in it at home, as well – even when I’m allegedly relaxing. There are only a handful of television shows that I regularly watch, but even during those, I will often grab something to read, or a project to work on. I take reading material for stoplights, and to me, it’s often a matter of good stewardship of time. But I know that I can carry this too far.

I’m not certain that monotasking is a word, but if it isn’t, I would like to propose it! I think it’s hard to experience genuine rest, which God instituted for us (see Exodus 31), when one is doing several things at once, and I know that we are guilty of multitasking in our relationships with God, as well.

When we listen to our pastor’s well-prepared sermon, are we totally focused on what God is saying to us through him or her - or are we distracted with worries, plans for that afternoon or something else? When we have our personal devotional time, do we focus totally on the message there, or are we rushing through, distracted by what we’ll be doing next?

I would like to suggest that all of us try to monotask more. And perhaps the best place to start would be in our relationships with God. I would love to hear from you about your experiences with these things.

Jan

 cfdjan@yahoo.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org