Why is it that when I reflect on the season of finals exams, I notice so much time spent on my phone doing pointless things, and finishing my day realizing I didn't make time for what I claim is the most important thing in my life, my faith. I'll sit staring at a screen, writing papers, studying for exams, and taking breaks by scrolling through every social media platform on my phone instead of taking just a few minutes here or there to open my Bible, or even my Bible app! Why do I let myself become so engrossed in what's happening here and now and with the things that are going on outside of the walls of the room I sit studying in, rather than seeing the big picture? If I truly believe that God is at the center of my life, why do I struggle so much to maintain an eternal perspective when life gets busy? My happiness in these seasons of life tends to come more from my achievements on the matters at hand than the eternal source of happiness that I know is at my disposal 24/7. If I allow myself to be absorbed in this way of living, it becomes habitual and can easily knock me out of any routine of spending time in prayer and in God's word on a daily basis.

So, what happens when we run into a dry spell for achievements in life, and with it, a dry spell in happiness or a sense of worth found in those achievements? Then we start dusting off the Bible to plug into some spiritual high until the next stint of business reclaims our focus? We're metaphorically plugged into another source and trying to artificially satisfy our mental, emotional, and even spiritual needs by other avenues when we allow ourselves to let each set of 24 hours pass without so much as pausing to invite God into our busy lives. We'd rather see what's going on in everybody else's lives because that's what's happening in the small frame of life that we're stuck looking at. What tends to happen then is we start noticing ourselves feeling drained, and we're faced with a choice: to keep feeding off of the "here and now," or to invest in what we claim to be the focal point of our lives.

I obviously don't speak for every Christian in this matter. Some are disciplined enough that when busy times come, they still manage to carve time out to spend with God. The difference is so noticeable though! When I see these people, they are the people who bring Christ into the conversation and remind me of the drought in my life. They are the people who I walk away from conversations with feeling convicted, yet encouraged and reminded to place stock in what matters most to me. So, to end this mini rant, thank you to those in my life who keep me grounded.