Missed previous emails in the series? You can read all the emails we sent online by clicking here.

“In the end, our lives are no more than the sum of what we gave our attention to”

In the current “attention economy” where every billboard, ad, video and yes “Christian newsletter” is demanding you pay it attention, it is interesting to take a step back.

Think about the this phrase I just used for a moment → PAY attention. 

The truth is, whoever came up with that phrase knew what they were talking about. The reason why so many people and companies want attention is because attention costs something of you. Some of the biggest companies in the world are quite literally making billions of dollars paid for by your attention. 

A very real physical value for your attention. You PAY attention. 

And the reason attention is so valuable is because what we pay attention to shapes who we are and who we become. Our attention shapes our very identity. As the quote says:

“In the end, our lives are no more than the sum of what we gave our attention to.”

Which is why it is so important that we fight with every ounce of our being to set our attention on the right things. That we set our attention on God.

I think this is best exemplified in the famous verse we find in Romans 12:2 

And how do we renew our mind?

By setting our attention on Him. In the good and the bad — practicing the presence of God. 

 I think everyone can recognize how our minds can be shaped what we read or look at. Sometimes I find myself asking, is this my opinion or do I just think it because I have seen so many youtube shorts reinforcing this belief?

It can be hard to distinguish.

I think that is a bit with how its like when setting our minds on God. It's not always that God has a booming voice telling you to do this or believe that. But if you set your mind on Him continuously, you may find yourself finding it hard to distinguish between yours and God thoughts – because they will be aligned.

As it says in Psalm 37: 4

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

It’s not that he will give us everything we want. It’s that his desires will become our desires.

When we pay HIM attention - our minds will be transformed by God, and we will become like Him.

What a beautiful thought that is.

Until next week,

Be blessed,

Aaron

Theophilus Newsletter