Every Sunday morning, just as I am standing for worship at church, I get a ping on my phone telling me how much screen time I have accumulated throughout the week. I try to ignore it, afterall, service has started! But in full disclosure, the number always makes me squirm a bit. It’s too much and I know it. 

Sure, I can justify some of the screen time spent for emails, writing, car directions, grocery lists, and podcasts, but I know the majority of the time comes from scrolling. And more scrolling.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves, “What’s the cost of my scrolling?” and specifically, “How is it affecting my spirituality?” Let’s take an honest look at America’s new favorite pastime. 

Scrolling Steals Time

Social media, online articles, and other digital platforms have one common goal: to keep you on their site. They will do everything in their power to get you to scroll to the next thumbnail, picture, or article. Between notifications and catchy headlines, it’s easy to let 5 minutes of scrolling turn into 25. I speak from honest experience! If my time is being zapped by my continuous scrolling, my time dedicated to my calling is compromised. Callings can look different for everyone and different in every season. But if we are constantly on our phones, how much are we really tending to the gifts and purposes God has for us outside of our mindless scrolling? Our time is precious and not guaranteed.