Staying Devoted in a World Full of Distractions
How gazing upon the beauty of God can anchor our hearts in an increasingly distracted world.
We live in a time where attention is one of our scarcest resources. Our phones buzz with constant notifications, social media demands our engagement, and the endless stream of news competes for our every spare moment. In such an environment, the question for many believers is pressing how do we cultivate true devotion to God when distractions are everywhere?
Mary Oliver once wrote, “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” That simple truth highlights a profound reality the ability to focus our hearts and minds is the first step in drawing near to God. Yet, how often do we find ourselves scrolling through endless feeds, seeking momentary satisfaction, while neglecting the life-giving presence of God?
The Ancient Battle for Attention
Though our age may feel uniquely overwhelmed by digital distractions, the struggle for undivided devotion is not new. Centuries before the rise of smartphones, saints like Augustine and Jonathan Edwards wrestled with the call to fix their hearts entirely upon God.
Augustine, enraptured by Christ’s beauty, described his Savior in words that burn with affection “Beautiful in heaven, beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in his parents’ arms; beautiful in his miracles, beautiful under the scourges.” His vision of Christ left no room for trivial distractions.
Similarly, Jonathan Edwards saw God as “the foundation and fountain of all beauty.” He urged believers to behold God’s glories with rapture, finding supreme delight in His perfections. For these saints, the surpassing beauty of God made earthly distractions pale in comparison.
What Makes God So Beautiful?
The beauty of God is not like the fleeting beauty of a sunset or a well-composed melody. It is a beauty that satisfies both the mind and the heart. Philosophers describe beauty as that which is good, desirable, and perfect. In every sense, God embodies these qualities:
He is perfectly good (Psalm 119:68).
He is the desire of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).
His perfection shines in radiant splendor (Hebrews 1:3).
His love is extravagant and undeserved (Romans 5:8).
Augustine called Him “the Beauty of all things beautiful,” recognizing that every glimpse of beauty in creation ultimately points to its divine source.
The Eyes of the Heart
Yet not everyone perceives this beauty. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” Only by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit do we gain the ability to see God’s glory. As John Piper explains, believers are given spiritual eyes “the eyes of your hearts” (Ephesians 1:18) that enable us to behold and savor Christ’s beauty.
This is not mere intellectual assent. It is an affection-filled seeing that stirs worship, much like David’s longing cry: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4).
Cultivating Devotion in a Distracted World
How, then, can modern believers develop eyes that see God’s beauty amid constant distraction? Interestingly, the practice of theology offers one helpful path.
Though many might not associate theology with personal devotion, C.S. Lewis offered a surprising perspective “The doctrinal books often prove more helpful in devotion than the devotional books.” Wrestling with deep theological truths forces us to fix our gaze upon the character and works of God, drawing our hearts upward.
Books like J.I. Packer’s Knowing God and R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God have helped countless Christians see God’s majesty more clearly. The English Puritans, like John Owen, urged believers to “consider his glories and excellencies” to fuel their love for Christ.
Reading as Communion, Not Duty
Theology is not an end in itself. Its purpose is not merely to fill our minds with information but to usher us into deeper communion with the living God. Josef Pieper captured this truth beautifully: “Love alone makes it possible for contemplation to satiate the human heart with the experience of supreme happiness.”
When we approach our reading and study prayerfully, seeking not just knowledge but intimacy, our hearts are warmed, and our devotion grows. In those moments, theology becomes worship.
Modern Research Confirms Ancient Wisdom
Interestingly, recent studies affirm what these saints practiced. According to a 2023 Barna study, believers who spend regular time meditating on Scripture and contemplating God’s character report significantly higher levels of peace and joy, even amid life’s pressures. The data suggests that intentional focus on God’s beauty and truth counteracts the mental exhaustion that modern technology often fosters.
Furthermore, neuroscientists have observed that "slow looking" the practice of sustained, focused attention can retrain the brain’s attention span. Museum curators use this method to help visitors fully appreciate art. In a similar way, slowly meditating on God’s Word allows believers to savor His beauty deeply.
The Undistractable Life Is Possible
The good news is that we are not defenseless in this age of distraction. God, in His mercy, equips us to fight for undistracted hearts:
By the Spirit, we are given eyes to see His beauty (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Through the Word, we behold the glory of Christ (John 17:24).
In prayer, we commune personally with our beautiful God.
Through the fellowship of believers, we encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed on Him.
The struggle remains real, but the promise is sure. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:6 that “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” This life of peace undistracted, joy-filled, anchored in the beauty of God is available even now as we behold Christ with the eyes of our hearts.
A Glimpse of Eternal Beauty
One day, our battle against distraction will end forever. As 1 John 3:2 promises, “When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” Until then, we press on, training our hearts to see and savor the beauty of Christ. And in so doing, we find a foretaste of the eternal happiness that awaits us.
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