I saw somewhere that 99% of people are aware and tuned in to the Coronavirus. In any poll of any contemporary issue, this is the highest awareness of anything they’ve ever surveyed people on. Which makes me wonder, who are the lucky 1% of folks off the grid with literally NO IDEA what is happening? If this goes on for a while, some people are going to come off the mountains for Memorial Day Boatnik, and be sorely disappointed.   

Mostly everyone is paying attention. Our senses are heightened, we respond with fight, flight, freeze, or fill. . .a cart. As I mentioned before, it’s good to be relatively informed and to follow directions, but I think we should be paying particular attention to something (someone) else.    

Someone recently recommended Eugene Peterson’s Working The Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Peterson is particularly addressing pastors in this book, but as I thought about it, his message is timely for all of us Christ-followers in this turbulent time.  

He offers us three pastoral acts, comparing them to angles on a triangle. I also got B’s in math class, but I do know that the less obvious angles of the triangle set the direction of the more obvious lines of the triangle. In the same way, these three basic and quiet practices will set the trajectory of the other areas of my life. 

The three acts are 1) Prayer, 2) Reading Scripture, and 3) Spiritual Direction. Super simple, isn’t it? You were probably hoping for something more profound. 

Peterson calls these: “acts of attention to God.” 

1) Prayer is paying attention to God’s work “in me.” What is God up to inside of me? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me. . .”  -Psalm 139:23-24

2) Scripture is paying attention to God in word and in history. Instead of first asking how this passage applies to my life, we should ask: “What is God like based on what I see in scripture?” 

3) Spiritual direction is paying attention to God in those around me. What is God up to in YOU? And how can I help you realize it and draw it out of you by asking good questions?

In our fast-paced world, these three areas of attention are crowded out by the immediate, the tyranny of the urgent. This could be deadlines, the distraction of my phone, the ding or buzz or ring or stun of the Iphone, today’s to-do list, the constant “needs” or expectations of those around me. Whatever gives me a dopamine hit, or whatever that brain chemical is. 

And yet, in this moment, we can re-train ourselves here to pay attention to WHAT’S IMPORTANT, over what’s IMMEDIATE. When we put these three areas of attention together, myself, God, and that other person, we’re going to have a way better perspective as to what is going on around us right now. What is God up to in this pandemic? What does he want to do in me, in my house, in our church, city, and world? 

Can I encourage you, friends, to spend 30 intentional minutes paying attention to God today in these three areas? And get in a new, daily routine? I’m encouraging at least 10 minutes on each of the three areas. Many of you used to do this. And you loved it. And then life got busy. Let’s bring it back! Turn this obstacle into an opportunity. 

1) Find a quiet place in your house, or step outside, or go for a walk. 

2) Turn your phone to DO NOT DISTURB, or airplane mode, or better yet, leave it in a drawer. You can go 20 minutes without your phone, you really can. Turn the news off.

3) Spend 10+ minutes quieting your heart, paying attention to your anxieties, emotions, fears, and asking God to help you process these things. “Holy Spirit, what do you want to do inside of me right now? How can I be more like Jesus in my attitudes and actions?” I find this much easier to do with a pen and paper, or even talking to myself out-load. Bring Bluetooth headphones so people don’t think you’re crazy and call CDC on you. 

4) Spend 10+ minutes reading through a Bible passage, maybe a story, a psalm. Finding a Bible reading plan is the best way to make this a positive routine.

5) After your heart is in a much better place paying attention to God, now you’re ready to pay attention to God’s work in someone else.  Go have a discussion with your kids or family members. Call someone up, check in on some older people in your life who might need some toilet paper.  

I would love to hear some of the things God, from your perspective, as you pay attention to what he’s doing in you, what you’re learning from scripture and good books, and what you’re seeing in other people. Instead of paying excessive attention to the problem, would you join me in paying a lot more attention the one who’s Sovereign over the problem.

Grace and peace,

Tyler