It’s easy to fall into the trap of paying more attention to what’s happening in the world than what’s happening in the spirit. In this high-speed, high-tech 21st century we are soaked with information morning, noon and night. Most of us carry around a phone with more computing capacity than the entire Apollo moon mission – and it fits in our pocket.

But how much information is too much?

Our problem isn’t having enough information, it’s figuring out which information matters.

Elijah got caught paying too much attention to the daily news. As a result, he ended up suicidally depressed. The Bible tells us about it in 1 Kings 19. But as Elijah despaired, God came and sat down with him and explained that he was watching all the wrong things. His fixation on the big and spectacular news of the day (and in particular the condition of the government) was blinding him to the kingdom of God. In those few minutes, Elijah learned that God doesn’t shout because he doesn’t need to. He will always have the last word, no matter how much shouting goes on in the meantime. He speaks in “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

You and I need to remember this and stop expecting him in the noise and confusion. Instead, he is in the word. He is in prayer.  He is in your worship. He is not on CNN (or Fox News or NPR or whatever you prefer). He is there when you love your neighbor. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12).

So let me invite you to minimize your diet of irrelevant information and maximize your focus on God’s work in your heart. You will never regret it.

I’ll see you on Sunday. Be true!