By April Dawn White
I smiled with curiosity the first time I heard my friend Melanie, say “I receive that!” I remember it was during our soccer mom Bible study of Malachi. While praying for her, she said “Yes Lord, I receive that.” I had never heard someone respond that way…and I loved it!
Information Overload
We live in an age of information overload. According to research by the Top Ten Reviews every minute of the day:
· YouTube receives 48 hours of uploaded video
· Over 2 million search queries hit Google
· Twitter users post about 100,000 tweets
· 571 new websites are created
· Over 200,000,000 email messages are created and sent[1]
Yikes, no wonder, I feel overwhelmed by technology. I have a love-hate relationship with social media and technology. I love the swiftness of broadcasting encouragement. However, I hate the struggle I have with managing my time. As the Dave Matthews Band sings it’s “Too Much!”
We are in charge of what we give our time and attention. Just because we are bombarded with information doesn’t mean we must receive the information. Here are some tips I use to help manage information clutter:
Unsubscribe to annoying emails (not Red Chair Moments of course)
Create email folders and file or auto select emails to drop into the corresponding folders
Unfollow or unfriend (gasp) people social media sites
Dedicate a set time of day or length of time to respond to messages
This week has been particularly difficult for me; a “thorn in my flesh” type of week. God wrapped me in a divine hug and showed me these text messages:
“We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66:12, NIV)
“Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress and He hears my voice.” (Psalms 55:17, NIV)
“Cast my cares on the Lord and He will sustain me.” (Psalm 55: 22, my paraphrase)
“Call upon me…I will deliver you and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15, NIV)
“I will trust and not be afraid.” (Isaiah 12:2, NIV)
“He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart, He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11, NIV)
“I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold your with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
“I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to your do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV)
There are many things vying for our attention. After reading these truths, my heart responded with an emphatic, “Yes Lord, I receive that!”
If any of these verses was something you needed to receive, give a shout out “I receive that!”
~April Dawn
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[1] http://ftp-hosting-services-review.toptenreviews.com/the-explosive-growth-of-digital-data.html