I greatly enjoyed being able to go down to Mexico on the annual FUEL Agua Viva Mexico trip last week. We participated in some construction and demolition efforts, ate some delicious fish tacos, and spent time playing with various children, among other things. We spent about four or five hours on the last day hanging out with migrant children at a sort of block party that we set up. As the sun beat down on us, I noticed a great difference between these kids and my own children.

There were a variety of games set up around the street: there was a ring toss, a fishing game, a very dangerous pop-balloons-with-a-slingshot game, musical chairs, face-painting, and more. I noticed that some kids would wait in line for a game, play it, and then run back to the end of the line and wait. They would do this over and over again. The prize was typically a little piece of candy. And no matter how much candy they received, they wanted to try again.

I reflected on my children — what if they were at the party? It is likely that after a few turns at some of the stations they would explain their boredom to me. This not a unique sentiment of my children. I thought of the many neighbor kids who live on my street — they would likely be tired and ready for something new, as well. I then looked around at our group. It seemed that as time went on, we were becoming more lethargic and bored. Meanwhile the migrant children were excited and energetic.

I do not think there is anything inherently wrong with having a shorter attention span — our culture certainly demands it from us. We have movies, television, video games, cell phones, and radios that all keep us on our toes. They keep us active and constantly shifting. But I have to wonder what impact that has on our spiritual relationship.

This was my fifth trip to Mexico and every year I notice the sign in the kitchen area. It is the second of these verses (in Spanish):

Joshua 1:8-9 — This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

I memorized these verses as a young child and have always felt a sort of inadequacy with regards to my obedience of the phrase, “meditate on it day and night.” Similarly, we have Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray without ceasing.

Does any of us really meditate on God’s Word day and night or pray without ceasing? It seems all the more unattainable when we consider our small attention span. May we all learn to relax and allow our relationship with God to flourish. Let us truly learn to meditate more and pray more. Let us bring our relationship with God to the forefront of our existence.

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This entry was posted by zac on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 7:39 am and is filed under Weekly Jib Jab. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.