Disconnected

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Listen to this devotional:
 Listen while you read: "Lord Speak To Me"1  (Lyrics)

One late evening a couple of years ago, I was playing a word game on my phone as I usually do. In those days, I would put my phone on airplane mode so that I wouldn't get ads while playing the game. I rarely got phone calls at that time of day, and, so far, it hadn't been a problem. But on this occasion, I was startled to hear my daughter pounding on my door at 10 p.m. "Mom! Mom!" she frantically yelled. "You had your phone turned off, and I couldn't call you! I think I'm having a heart attack! Open the door!"

My daughter and her husband had recently bought a home in my recreational vehicle park, but he was away in Ohio. She had managed to get into the golf cart and drive the short distance between our houses.

She flopped down on the couch, clutching her chest. "Mom, it really hurts. I think this is real." And it was! She had no history of heart issues, but a trip to emergency turned into a hospital admission, and the next day, she had a stent put in due to a blocked artery.

Since this episode, I use my tablet to play my game!

John 15:4a,5 – Remain in me, and I will remain in you. … Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (NLT)

For a short time each evening, I had disconnected myself from contact with friends and family. I didn't think that it was a big deal, but that evening, it was. Sometimes, we disconnect ourselves from God — and that is a big deal. How do we know if that has happened?

  • Our desire to spend time with God dwindles.
  • Daily devotions feel like a burden; we read mechanically to check it off our list, or we don't do them anymore.
  • We're easily distracted from connecting with God by the news, social media, or life's daily interruptions.
  • It becomes easier to stay home and watch the church service on television instead of going to church to fellowship with other Christians — or not participating in worship at all on Sunday morning.

Staying connected to God requires focus and self-discipline. It means that we start our day with Him and give Him priority in our lives. It means that we might need to pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT) Rapper Macklemore states: "My relationship with God is as strong as the time and energy I put into connecting with God."

How much time and energy are we willing to invest?

Prayer: Father, help us to be aware when we've allowed ourselves to be disconnected from You. We want to remain in Christ and produce much fruit. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
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1 thought on “Disconnected”

  1. Thank-you Sharon!

    A good one, thanks Sharon.

    Thanks for the wise words, Sharon.

    Always enjoy your words of wisdom.

    Thank you for that Sharon. I felt like you were speaking directly to me.

    Great scare!! Which led to great prayer!! Thank you for the story – AND the prayer.

    Thanks for your reminder of required reconnection!
    This may be what my wondrous wife needs at the moment.
    Oops! Me too.

    Sharon, I can even be distracted by layers of distractions atop of more distractions! When I read your words the hymn words came to mind, “I need thee every hour”. I bless me NOW my Savior, I come to thee.” Thanks for helping me refocus in Him!

    Thank you, Sharon, for this devotional about staying connected to God, and not to stray away from our devotionals or fellowship with others, not to just watch services on the television. So glad to hear your daughter made it to the hospital in time and is doing well. Blessings to you and your family.

    That surely was a scary situation for your daughter Sharon and good to hear she got needed treatment in time. One thing we can be sure about in today’s technical world, our loving God is ever available to receive our prayers and respond in His way. His connection is always open to us, and it is important that we be more attentive to Him in our daily life. Blessings for your special writings.

    Hi Sharon,
    I am glad that everything worked out for your daughter. So scary. I have been hearing similar messages, so I am taking note that maybe I am in some way disconnected from God and He is trying to get my attention. You make some very good points in your devotional, and I will pray to have my heart, eyes, and ears opened. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

    Morning, Sharon….did you write that devotional especially for me? For the first time in a while we have some young children in our church, and I have been teaching Sunday School once more (probably like you I taught SS and preschool classes at our church during the week for a very long time). Yesterday I told myself that a new arrangement would need to be made as my husband will soon be 90 and has some health issues. WELL, then here comes your devotional and it certainly got my attention! Thank you.
    P.s. I am having a hard time thinking about one of our children having a heart attack!!!!

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