Last night, as Terri and I were having dinner at a local Italian restaurant just down the street from us, she noticed a couple sitting nearby who were eyes deep into their phones, missing the opportunity to simply enjoy each other’s company.
Our phones are just one of the ways we live distracted and struggle to pay attention. Being present may be the greatest struggle of our time.
We are surrounded by noise and drowning in notifications, opinions, and demands vying for our attention.
In the Bible, we see Jesus repeatedly withdraw to quiet places to pray. He understood that a distracted heart struggles to hear from the Father.
Spiritual formation requires attention, not more information.
We don’t need more activity. We need a heart that is present before God.
What has our attention is shaping us.
Is it shaping us toward Christ?
Psalm 46 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Stillness means making room to listen and to enjoy the company of the Great Creator of Everything There Is. That’s who God is: the maker of everything. And He is inviting us to spend time with Him.
In our noisy, contentious world the most spiritual thing we can do is be fully present with Him and those we love.
Put down your phone. Pay attention. You’ll thank me for it later.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights
The Devotional Guy™ 
Amen 🙏, brother! And I’m guilty of this, too. So it’s more of a note to self than a statement about our culture. But it’s so evident all around us…
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I couldn’t agree more Rainer! The mobile phone has become the opium of the masses. I remember when public transport used to buzz with conversation, now the heads are all bowed in worship of Google. Even sadder is when folk have the need for their phone in church. God bless you and Terri today my brother 🙏
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