taking a break from the tech...

Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? — Galatians 1:10 Turn Off the Tech by Rebekah Lyons, from A Surrendered Yes Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. — Galatians 1:10 ESV   I started using Instagram on May 7, 2011, to be exact. Though many of my friends were active on social networking platforms, I was not a savvy social-media user.   But the idea of keeping a real-time photo journal to share with friends and family? This was something I could get behind. After one weekend, I was hooked.   But what began as memory making became a compulsion to share. Gabe noticed before I did. "You don't need to capture everything; just enjoy the moment!" he said.   Kennedy, my daughter, saw it too and would ask, "Can you stop looking at your phone?"   In the spring of 2018, I felt God whispering that I should fast from social media. I dismissed and defended my actions. It's no big deal, God. It doesn't mean that much to me. But I woke up a few weeks later feeling an urge, a conviction even, to press pause for a season. I couldn't wait another day.   In the spring of 2018, I felt God whispering that I should fast from social media.   When I jumped off social media, things changed. First, I started dreaming again. On the back porch, journal in hand, new ideas and thoughts flooded my mind. Second, I was sleeping better than ever, my mind and body catching up on much-needed rest. And third, my passion for learning returned as I read more books, listened to more podcasts and talks.   A month into this fast, I drove around a bend in the road and gasped at the sky, ablaze with pinks and reds. Normally, I would have pulled over and angled for the perfect shot.   That's when God reminded me of this truth: "You are worthy to receive something beautiful, and you don't have to share it."   What began as a break from the constant churn of social media became a fundamental lesson in worthiness.   I came to see that my worth is not found in approval "out there." It is found in the loving gifts God offers in the "right now," in the intimate invitation of a sunset.   When I did reenter social media, it was with caution. I didn't want to lose the slower pace of life I'd found or my longer attention span and diminishing need for public approval. I can see the flicker in my Kennedy's eyes as she shares something from her day, and I give her my whole attention. I catch our son Cade's goofy smirk when he's up to no good.   By resting from social media, I've recovered the lost art of paying attention, and somehow, that has brought me a sense of peace and tranquility.   Consider taking your own social media fast. Leave your smartphone in a box by the front door when you walk in after a long day. Limit the number of texts you send in a day. Give your mind, soul, and body the rest they need — for your sake and for the sake of those around you. Excerpted with permission from A Surrendered Yes by Rebekah Lyons, copyright Rebekah Lyons. Your Turn   For some of us, it might take more than a quiet nudge to get us to put down our tech. It might take a spiritual crowbar! But, what might we gain? Give it and try and come share with us! ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. BRAND NEW RELEASE   Save 30% off A Surrendered Yes by Rebekah Lyons   Discover the delight of living from a place of freedom in your daily routines and lifelong dreams.  Paperback, Regular: $19.99 Sale Price: $13.99 (30% off) eBook price: $9.99 + free U.S. shipping* on orders $35 or more SHOP NOW Even when circumstances feel wildly out of your control, you can make the decision each day to say yes to who God says you are in Him. This 52-week devotional from bestselling author Rebekah Lyons offers practical advice and spiritual wisdom to help you find renewed freedom in your daily rhythms as you intentionally focus on what God has for you in every moment of life.   Rebekah found new freedom in discovering that yes in her own life as she and her husband made a cross-country move and adopted a child with Down syndrome. Along the way, she realized that when we say yes in even the small, ordinary moments of life, we experience renewed spiritual vitality for every aspect of God's calling. In A Surrendered Yes, Rebekah draws on biblical truths and her personal story to inspire you to:   Find freedom from the approval of others Use your time and energy to live a life of intention Practice Sabbath to maintain your emotional, physical, and spiritual health Release control to find God's presence in play and laughter Experience the truth that God is enough Each entry in this year-long devotional includes:   A Scripture verse A thoughtful devotion from Rebekah A journal prompt to help you implement that week's theme in your daily life A Surrendered Yes features a beautiful hardcover design and includes a ribbon marker, making it a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoyed Rebekah's bestseller Rhythms of Renewal, or a loved one looking for a rich yearly devotional.   Discover the delight of living from a place of freedom in your daily routines and lifelong dreams. Live with joy instead of regret. Freedom instead of fear. Rest instead of striving. Say yes.   Take a closer look...   Learn More and Save   *Sale prices valid through 9/30/2021, ending at 11:59pm EST, excluding eBooks and audiobooks.  eBooks and audiobook purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders over $35 valid, excluding Alaska and Hawaii Devotionals Daily ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Did you receive this message from a friend? Sign up to start receiving Devotionals Daily. FaithGateway ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Copyright © 2021 HarperCollins Christian Publishing. All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions  *Manage Your Email Preferences or *Unsubscribe    Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally    Same books but buy them on Alibris.com instead