Where's the Remote?

Growing up in a family of eight, there was always one thing that seemed to be lost in our house – the television remote. To this day, I can still hear my siblings asking where it was or “who hid it.” Once I reached adulthood, I decided that I would never have this issue. Instead, I keep it in the same place on my coffee table. And my younger siblings love knowing this fact when they come to visit. 

That was until a recent cleaning frenzy before their arrival. In a hurry, I moved the TV tool to a new location. Before I knew it, I heard the famous question through the voice of my 11-year-old sister.

“Where’s your remote?” She said.

Yep, never say “Never!”

I had lost it.

After they left, I searched and searched. Picking up every blanket and retracing my steps, I couldn’t find it anywhere. For someone with OCD, I try my hardest to keep things organized and in their proper place. When things aren’t, I get stressed.

Soon, I found myself crouched on the floor. Twenty minutes into my quest, I was beyond frustrated as a shocking revelation occurred while peering underneath my couch with my phone flashlight.

That day, I had spent more time looking for that remote than studying the words of Scripture. I had done nothing but waste time searching for a remote in a hurried effort to waste more time watching television. 

And I’m not alone.

In an August Statista report, it is estimated that in 2023, “U.S. adults will spend an average of nearly three hours watching TV [or digital videos] each day.”

I’m bad at math, but I’m pretty sure that 3 hours times 7 days equals 21 hours. And that 21 hours times 52 weeks equals 1,092 hours. But wait, if we divide 1,092 hours by 24 hours, we get 45.5 days … So, according to Statista’s equation, U.S. adults, on average, spend 45.5 days mindlessly watching television! That’s a month and a half out of the year – gone with nothing to show!

There you have it. Americans are choosing television or other world distractions over reading God’s Holy Word.

In its 2022 “State of the Bible” report, the American Bible Society revealed that “Scripture Engagement is at a historic low in America, registering now at just 19% of American adults.” It continued, “This is the single largest disruption in Scripture Engagement ever recorded in the 12 years of conducting the “State of the Bible” survey.”

We’re no longer seeking Him.

Blame it on a remote, errands, entertainment, duties, relationships, or whatever fits into our “busy” schedules. Our time in the Word has dwindled, and our Nation is showing its effects. If we want to see a change in the world, we must first return our eyes and hearts to the One in control of it all.

In 2023, we are a culture too easily distracted from the most important book of all and its promises held within. He is waiting for us to return. The question is, are we even looking for Him?

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

(And by the way, I eventually found that remote … waiting for me right where I left it.)