We don’t fall out of love. We stop choosing to do things that are loving. So the way back to love is to do the loving things we did early in our relationship. And that often starts with the simple step of paying attention again. Paul challenged the believers in Philippi, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NLT)
We usually measure the value of things in money, but for most of us there is one commodity even more precious than money. It’s our time. When we give our time, we never get it back, but it’s a worthy investment. When it comes to your spouse, your kids, your friends and family, nothing is more precious a gift than the time we are willing to spend in conversation, listening, sharing, and staying tuned in.
Giving our time and attention may seem simple, but it’s complicated by living in the age of distractions. The way we consume media, network with others, and allow our lives to revolve around mobile devices all affect our attention spans and how easily we are diverted to something seemingly more urgent, or at least more stimulating. Paying attention requires us to block out distractions and spend time focusing on the needs and lives of other people.
Thankfully, God is able in His infinite power and wisdom to tune into the lives of every single human being on the planet. How He does this is beyond our understanding, but He cares so deeply about you that He pays attention to every detail of your life. He knows every pain, every frustration, and every highlight too. You’ve got God’s attention. Does He have yours today?
