From Distraction to Devotion: The Call to an Attentive Life
- Tim Ahlman
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Attention is slipping in our culture. We have increasingly short attention spans. Thanks, internet and social media. Thanks, cell phones and notifications. Thanks, sin.
Sin steals our attention of what matters most. It shortens our attention span toward God. God’s gaze is fixed on us. His gaze of love fuels His delight in us. He’s wondering if we’ll return the gaze—become transfixed by His Word, His presence, His indwelling Spirit, His love.
Sin steals my attention toward God. I become distracted by the “things of this world.” And there are so many things: Impatience toward others. Frustrated with myself. Expectations not met. Feeling pressed on every side.
God must call me to attention—and He does. He’s on every street corner of my heart calling out, “I’m right here. You don’t have to be afraid. Give Me your frustration. Rest in Me.” I’m getting better at noticing Him and inviting Him close. I’m still a work in progress. I always will be.
I have a mentor named John. John is a retired pastor I highly respect. He calls me from time to time just to check in. I love talking to John. He’s like a spiritual father to me. Recently John said, “Tim, I know you read lots of books, and you certainly don’t have to read this one… but I recently read the book The Attentive Life by Leighton Ford. I think you’d like it.”
When John recommends a book, I read it. This book did not disappoint. The book is a type of memoir of Ford’s life (he did ministry with Billy Graham). He uses the monastic “hours of the day” to talk about the various seasons of life and our need for attentiveness to God, others, and our own souls. Ford was concerned about inattentiveness in our culture in 2008. How much more is inattentiveness an issue in 2025?
The first half of life can be described as learning to do—you’re a “human doing.” The second half of life can be described as learning to be—you’re a “human being.” Hopefully, we become more attentive to God and others the older we get.
I believe churches—healthy churches—are places of deep attention to God and others. I believe healthy churches are places for people who desire to set aside distraction and gaze deeply at God and others. We linger; we pause; we notice.
I need help with this. Some Sundays, I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off. Sermon to sermon to sermon to sermon. I wish I had more time for people on Sundays, just to linger, pause, and notice. I’m trying to make more time for people between Sundays. I want to be interruptible. I’m getting better. I’m still a work in progress.
How attentive are you? If you don’t have a book you’re reading, let me be your Pastor John—pick up The Attentive Life. Grab a cup of coffee. Enjoy being attentive.