Unplugging from digital distractions is not just about taking a break from technology—it is about making room for God’s presence. When our attention is constantly divided, we can miss the quiet ways God speaks to us through prayer, Scripture, and moments of stillness.

Creating intentional moments of rest allows us to refocus on what truly matters. Whether through a walk without a phone, a quiet morning with Scripture, or simply setting aside time away from screens, we can rediscover the peace and renewal that comes from being present with God.

Highlights:
Jesus modeled the importance of stepping away from busyness to rest with God
Digital distractions can make it harder to slow down and listen for God’s voice
Unplugging creates space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal
Rest is not a luxury—it is part of how God designed us to reconnect with Him
Intentional quiet moments help us recognize God’s presence in everyday life

Join the Conversation

Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

Unplug to Connect with God
By: Whitney Hopler 

Bible Reading:
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” – Mark 6:31, NIV 

An onstage speaker was presenting important information that all of us attending an editorial conference needed to know. But as I listened and took notes, I wondered why so many people around me in the audience were on their mobile devices rather than paying attention to the speaker’s message. We had all traveled to New York City at our own expense to attend the conference. I didn’t want to miss a word of what all the speakers had to share. After that session, someone asked me if she could take pictures of my notes. She admitted that she had been so distracted by what she was doing online that she had no idea what the in-person speaker had said. 

Living in a society that pressures us to be constantly connected online, it’s challenging for us to take digital breaks. But it’s important to do so. God didn’t create us to be constantly dealing with information coming at us; he created us to need rest for our well-being. Our minds work best when we have time to focus well on one message at a time and to reflect regularly on all the information we’re learning. 

In Mark 6:31, Jesus looked at his disciples, who were so busy helping people that they didn’t even have time to eat – and invited them to come with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Jesus knew that the crowd's noise could eventually distract them so much that they couldn’t hear the messages God was sending them. If Jesus needed to pull his friends away from the few distractions of the first century, how much more do we need him to pull us away from the many digital distractions we’re dealing with right now? 

Unplugging regularly from our digital devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets is really a spiritual necessity. Every notification and every time we scroll places demands on our attention. When our attention is fragmented into lots of different pieces by our devices, we lose the ability to sit still and listen to God. We find it hard to pray for more than two minutes without wondering if we missed a text, or to read and reflect on a Bible passage without our minds wandering back to a work email or a social media comment. As a result, we can miss out on hearing from God. 

But when we choose to unplug – such as by taking a walk in nature without our phones or enjoying family dinner conversations without any devices in the room – we make room in our lives to hear from God. It’s in those quiet, unplugged times that we can pay attention to what’s most important: the messages God is sending us. The more we notice God’s presence with us, the more we can realize the value of spending time paying attention to what God has to say and renewing our minds as we rest with God. 

It can be uncomfortable at first to build a habit of unplugging regularly. But if we push through that discomfort, we’ll find that God has been waiting for us in the quiet. God isn’t competing with our screens; he’s waiting for us to lay them down so he can refresh us. So, let’s take God up on his invitation to go with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Then we’ll be able to hear the important messages God is always sending us. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how to unplug digitally to connect with God spiritually, reflect on these questions: 
When you first wake up, how long does it take before you check a digital device? How do your digital habits affect your ability to pay attention well during the day? 
Does the thought of turning your cell phone off for a few hours create a sense of anxiety or peace for you? Why do you think you feel that way?
Where is a quiet place in your home or neighborhood that you can go to be alone with God without any digital distractions? 
What are the “crowds” in your digital life – the apps or social media platforms that most often prevent you from hearing God’s voice? 
If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, looking at your screen time, what do you think he would lovingly invite you to let go of so you could spend more time with him? 

Further Reading:
Psalm 46:10
Matthew 11:28
Psalm 62:5
Luke 5:16
Isaiah 30:15

Unplugging from digital distractions is not just about taking a break from technology&mdash;it is about making room for God&rsquo;s presence. When our attention is constantly divided, we can miss the quiet ways God speaks to us through prayer, Scripture, and moments of stillness.
Creating intentional moments of rest allows us to refocus on what truly matters. Whether through a walk without a phone, a quiet morning with Scripture, or simply setting aside time away from screens, we can rediscover the peace and renewal that comes from being present with God.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="838" data-end="1238">
<li data-section-id="1bn7slt" data-start="838" data-end="918">Jesus modeled the importance of stepping away from busyness to rest with God</li>
<li data-section-id="lcodzv" data-start="919" data-end="1002">Digital distractions can make it harder to slow down and listen for God&rsquo;s voice</li>
<li data-section-id="17qzfzc" data-start="1003" data-end="1077">Unplugging creates space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal</li>
<li data-section-id="s3kzg1" data-start="1078" data-end="1158">Rest is not a luxury&mdash;it is part of how God designed us to reconnect with Him</li>
<li data-section-id="qb2cb6" data-start="1159" data-end="1238">Intentional quiet moments help us recognize God&rsquo;s presence in everyday life</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi&mdash;the God who sees you&mdash;change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Unplug to Connect with God By: Whitney Hopler&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, &lsquo;Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.&rsquo;&rdquo; &ndash; Mark 6:31, NIV&nbsp;
An onstage speaker was presenting important information that all of us attending an editorial conference needed to know. But as I listened and took notes, I wondered why so many people around me in the audience were on their mobile devices rather than paying attention to the speaker&rsquo;s message. We had all traveled to New York City at our own expense to attend the conference. I didn&rsquo;t want to miss a word of what all the speakers had to share. After that session, someone asked me if she could take pictures of my notes. She admitted that she had been so distracted by what she was doing online that she had no idea what the in-person speaker had said.&nbsp;
Living in a society that pressures us to be constantly connected online, it&rsquo;s challenging for us to take digital breaks. But it&rsquo;s important to do so. God didn&rsquo;t create us to be constantly dealing with information coming at us; he created us to<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/benefits-of-rest-as-modeled-by-jesus.html"> need rest for our well-being</a>. Our minds work best when we have time to<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/5-powerful-prayers-for-focus.html"> focus well</a> on one message at a time and to reflect regularly on all the information we&rsquo;re learning.&nbsp;
In Mark 6:31, Jesus looked at his disciples, who were so busy helping people that they didn&rsquo;t even have time to eat &ndash; and invited them to come with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Jesus knew that the crowd's noise could eventually distract them so much that they couldn&rsquo;t hear the messages God was sending them. If Jesus needed to pull his friends away from the few distractions of the first century, how much more do we need him to pull us away from the many digital distractions we&rsquo;re dealing with right now?&nbsp;
Unplugging regularly from our digital devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets is really a spiritual necessity. Every notification and every time we scroll places demands on our attention. When our attention is fragmented into lots of different pieces by our devices, we lose the ability to sit still and listen to God. We find it hard to pray for more than two minutes without wondering if we missed a text, or to read and reflect on a Bible passage without our minds wandering back to a work email or a social media comment. As a result, we can miss out on<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/10-ways-to-hear-from-god-regularly.html"> hearing from God</a>.&nbsp;
But when we choose to unplug &ndash; such as by taking a walk in nature without our phones or enjoying family dinner conversations without any devices in the room &ndash; we make room in our lives to hear from God. It&rsquo;s in those quiet, unplugged times that we can pay attention to what&rsquo;s most important: the messages God is sending us. The more we<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-notice-god-with-you-throughout-your-day.html"> notice God&rsquo;s presence with us</a>, the more we can realize the value of spending time paying attention to what God has to say and renewing our minds as we rest with God.&nbsp;
It can be uncomfortable at first to build a habit of unplugging regularly. But if we push through that discomfort, we&rsquo;ll find that God has been waiting for us in the quiet. God isn&rsquo;t competing with our screens; he&rsquo;s waiting for us to lay them down so he can refresh us. So, let&rsquo;s take God up on his invitation to go with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Then we&rsquo;ll be able to hear the important messages God is always sending us.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider how to unplug digitally to connect with God spiritually, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When you first wake up, how long does it take before you check a digital device? How do your digital habits affect your ability to pay attention well during the day?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Does the thought of turning your cell phone off for a few hours create a sense of anxiety or peace for you? Why do you think you feel that way?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Where is a quiet place in your home or neighborhood that you can go to be alone with God without any digital distractions?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What are the &ldquo;crowds&rdquo; in your digital life &ndash; the apps or social media platforms that most often prevent you from hearing God&rsquo;s voice?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, looking at your screen time, what do you think he would lovingly invite you to<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/let-go-for-your-well-being-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> let go</a> of so you could spend more time with him?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading: Psalm 46:10 Matthew 11:28 Psalm 62:5 Luke 5:16 Isaiah 30:15

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Unplug to Connect with God

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/bcdd8431-b4a2-40b1-9561-b46b00fb85ae/transcript