On staff at an event one evening, my job was assisting people behind the merchandise table. The crowd was slow initially, so I took a moment to place a quick call that seemed appropriate. The number failed to go through and I had to place several more calls, making the process much longer than I had intended.
Although I maintained my presence at the table and no one was waiting for help, I was not actively available to anyone on the other side. Being on the phone effectively cut me off from fulfilling my roll. I had the sense that this probably wasn’t the best idea, but I didn’t thoughtfully assess and act on the priority of the moment.
Just as I was finally finishing up, the man in charge walked over to me.
“You need to get off the phone” he said. Not sure if he was serious or not, I briefly explained. His response was “I know, but…”
I then realized he was looking at me very seriously. This was no pick-on-Hannah moment. Embarrassment set in and my eyes grew wide. “Am I in trouble?” I blurted out.
He shook his head. “Just don’t do it anymore.”
Thankfully this was someone I knew and had good relationship with from working together previously. However, I was still very embarrassed that he had say something to me, when in fact I knew better. I apologized properly later and attentively fulfilled my responsibilities for the rest of the event. But his words stayed with me.
You need to get off the phone.
This story (embarrassing as it is to tell) carries a point. (#1 – go with your gut; it’s usually right.) In contemplating this, I was convicted that there are other things in my life that are mirror being on the phone when I’m supposed to be working.
It’s my responsibility to be actively involved in the course and actions of my life. No one is there to pick up the slack if I don’t. But I have a tendency to get stuck with passing distractions like entertainment, media, or even literally being on the phone.
These aren’t necessarily bad things, just not the main priority. And when I let them jump place in line, they eat up valuable time and not only keep me from being where God wants me to be, but who He wants me to be.
“You need to get off the phone” God says to me. Away from the distractions and back to the pursuit of what’s right in front of me. To actively living life and the people I’m serving.
And the truth is, I usually know better. It’s hard to hang up. God forgive me for being so stubborn.
Mercifully, as my friend demonstrated, God is forgiving. He doesn’t strike out in anger, but His command is that of what Jesus said to the woman in John 8:11 - don’t do it anymore!
Are you on the phone? Life is calling. And there’s no hold button.
