On our way home this weekend, I was reading an allegory by Ed Dunlop, and it really got me to thinking about how culturally we put very little to no thought about what we allow our eyes to see and our brains and heart to take in. Those who know me, know that I have a decent aversion to screens – there is just too much tangible life to live for me to spend massive amounts of time on any device – and I just don’t think it’s healthy to have a constant stream of anything vying for our attention. We were designed for an intimate relationship with our Creator filled with Peace and Love; this relationship necessitates eyes and hearts not distracted but patiently waiting and receiving so that we can identify what is Good and what is not.

“The Castle of Confidence was taken almost without a fight all because the sentries failed to recognize the enemy.” -Ed Dunlop

If we don’t slow the feed coming into our brain, we don’t stand a chance at recognizing the enemy.

Today we discussed the massive amount of information our brain is processing each moment, ie, what we see, smell, touch, hear – and because of these senses, each moment our brain is telling our body how to react to these stimuli. It’s absolutely incredible. However, because of this massive amount of data being processed, our brains will start to fill in the blanks based on previous experiences, also known as making assumptions. This is why optical illusions work. Now, after thinking about this, and since I don’t believe in coincidences, I began to question how this related to what I read on Sunday. I can’t help but feel like we are ALL being duped by the enemy with screens. When we open ourselves up to a constant news feed, either side of any controversy, our brains will just start making assumptions. I truly believe we are all more alike than we are different. I just want to encourage anyone who might listen, take a break from tv, social media, news feeds, whatever it is for a while and open your heart to the Lord. Let His narrative fill your mind and heart and conversations. We don’t have to play into the hand of division, into the hand of the enemy. You may ask, ”But then who will take care of the evil?” The answer is simple and beautiful, hearts surrendered to the Lord, in constant communication with the Lord, will dominate evil because He is.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

We are the Creator’s Love! Hallelujah! Get to know Him.