Christian ADHD

I’m fortunate that I grew up in a decade devoid of technology and ubiquitous distractions. Born in the mid-60s, I grew up in the 70s amid platform shoes and bell bottoms - styles that have interestingly made a resurgence decades later. There was no Internet, no home computers, no cellphones, no cable TV, and no video games. I remember calling information to obtain a phone number and speaking to a live person. Phones were mounted on the wall on sat on a table. Cordless phones didn’t exist. Television consisted of four VHF channels and three UFH. Life was much simpler. But why?

Well, as I reflect back on my life as compared to that of today (writing a blog for example), I realize there is a plethora of distractions today competing for my attention. Growing up, one of the things I looked forward to was the Sunday newspaper. In the center with advertisements and coupons was the TV Guide for the local area. I’d pursue it to see if my favorite shows were going to be on or if they had been replaced by something else. Of particular interest, was the late program on Saturday night, usually a Charlie Chan or Sherlock Holmes movie - in black & white no less!

If I wanted to talk to a friend, I didn’t have the luxury of texting or emailing. I could call them on the phone - looking up their number from the family phone book (whatever happened to the White Pages and Yellow Pages?). Or I could knock on their door, which is what I often did as a child to see if my friends could come out and play. During the summers in high school, my friends and I would write letters and mail them to one another. How exciting it was to receive mail! The art of letter writing has been lost with the passage of time, replaced by texting and email.

My friends and I played outside until the streetlights came on. There were no video games. Pong came along somewhere in my youth and was the height of technology. At that time, no one could envision Nintendo, Xbox, or Play Station. Growing up in the city, we played run the bases, wire ball (you have to be from the city to understand), or went to a local park to play sports. Our mode of transportation was either bicycle or walking. Occasionally we might get a ride from our parents. 

Indeed, life was simpler. Today, we are bombarded with advertisements, confronted with streaming videos, online shopping, social media (who could have ever imagined a party line of that magnitude?), instant communication, and an endless supply of apps that fill every potential void in our lives. If you grew up before the advent of modern technology and its proliferation, take a step back someone and observe the near hypnosis that occurs with people and their devices. Years ago, I was a college professor. During class breaks, no one left the room, no one spoke to each other. Like zombies, every student’s attention was focused on an illuminated screen. Checking email, watching videos, texting, scrolling through an app, they were completely absorbed. 

While technology has ushered in many undeniable benefits, it’s not without its drawbacks. I’m not going to argue that here. Instead, I am going to focus on attention and the various things that compete for it today, particularly from a Christian perspective. In some ways, I envy the disciples. They lived in a very simple time when their only mission in life was to preach the Gospel. They didn’t get up and go to work so they could pay their bills and subsist. No, they had little to no financial responsibility compared to our modern structure. There were no retirement plans other than younger people typically took care of the elderly (now there’s a concept!). No, the disciples woke up in the morning and spent the majority of their day traveling and preaching. They had few possessions (sorry, Jeff Bezos) to distract them and occupy their time. That isn’t to say they didn’t desire things like we do today. They were human, and I’m sure at some point they wanted new sandals or a tunic in a different fabric or pattern. Their desires, however, were simple because their choices were limited. 

I’m not going to debate the efficacy of ADHD, nor do I intend to attempt to validate or invalidate it. My experience, though, lends a perspective, which I will draw upon for illustrative purposes. Growing up, ADHD was practically non-existent. It was extremely rare to hear of a child with that condition. Its existence and application was nascent. However, as the decades of my life passed, ADHD expanded and became a common diagnosis among children, one often treated with medication. At the same time, the amount of stimuli bombarding both children and adults has increased exponentially. Perhaps there is a correlation. Again, that is not my focus. My focus is that as Christians have we let ourselves become so immersed in a society replete with distractions that we have forgotten the simplicity of the Gospel message? Have we be come so unknowingly brainwashed that we lost sight of the mission? Like my students, have we allowed ourselves to become transfixed by meaningless nonsense? In short, have we developed Christian ADHD?

Some might argue the benefits of technology, particularly as they pertain to sharing the Gospel. Amen. Preach it. I’m right there with you. In fact, I would argue technology plays a role in end times prophecy and the spreading of the Gospel. Although it is difficult to imagine a modern day Jesus with a cellphone (I’m sure Peter would be in His favorites). But you never know. My point in drawing a comparison between the time in which I grew up and now is that although technology provides many conveniences that have become embedded in our daily lives, we must be cognizant not to develop Christian ADHD and become distracted. Reflecting on years past, we must embrace the simplicity of the Gospel and Christ’s edict at the Great Commission. We battle an adversary all too intent on distracting us any way possible. Technology is his playground, where he can afflict the devout, distract them, and steer them off course thereby rendering them ineffective.