Shutting Out The Noise
Lent is a season I haven’t intentionally observed in 15–20 years, so in many ways, this feels like brand new territory for me. But this year, something stirred in my heart—I knew I needed to step away from the noise of social media and the constant influx of information to make more room for God.
If I’m honest, this is going to be hard. Multimedia is my passion. I love connecting, sharing, and using digital platforms to build Bible studies and deepen conversations about faith. But as I prepared for this fast, something incredible happened—I started hearing God speak before I even officially began. That alone confirms to me that this is the right step.
Why This Fast Matters
The image above resonates deeply with me: “It’s not that God is silent; it’s that our distractions are sometimes too loud.” I know this to be true in my own life. It’s not that God isn’t speaking—it’s that I’ve had so many other voices competing for my attention. Social media, news updates, notifications... they all pull my mind in different directions.
For a long time, I’ve felt the weight of this digital clutter. It’s not just about mindless scrolling; it’s the way my brain has been trained to check, refresh, and stay engaged. And yet, deep down, I know that the kind of engagement my soul truly longs for is with the Lord.
This fast is about creating space for that. It’s about saying, God, You are more important than my habits, my distractions, and my need for constant updates.
How I'm Pressing Into God During This Fast
Because this isn’t just about stepping away from something—it’s about stepping toward God—I’ve put a few intentional practices in place:
40-Day Study of Luke & Acts – Our Thursday night Bible study is walking through this study from the Bible Project, and I love that we’re going back to the life of Jesus and the early church. What better way to spend Lent?
Lent Pray 40 Challenge – I’m using the Hallow app to guide me in prayer and reflection each day.
Listening to Lent Worship Music – I’ve been soaking in the stunning playlist from Hallow (https://hallow.com/collections/180). There is something about worship that breaks down barriers and softens my heart before the Lord.
Reading The 40-Day Social Media Fast by Wendy Speake – This arrives tomorrow, and I can’t wait to dive in! I know I’ll need all the encouragement I can get.
Why This Will Be Hard (But Worth It)
I won’t pretend that this will be easy. My world is intertwined with digital media. I lead studies, create content, and connect with people online. Even though I’ve stepped away from personal social media, I know the pull will still be there. I’ll want to check, post, and stay updated.
But more than that, I want to hear from God. And I know that if I remove the distractions, I will.
Romans 12:2 has been on my heart: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” I want that renewal. I want my mind to be less shaped by social media algorithms and more shaped by the Word of God.
Already, in these first few days, I sense the difference. The clutter is lifting. The silence isn’t empty—it’s full of His presence.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by digital noise, maybe this is something to consider. It doesn’t have to be a full fast, but what if you carved out more intentional space to meet with God? What if you silenced just a few distractions to hear Him more clearly?
For me, this is a new journey. It’s a little scary, but it’s already proving to be beautiful. And if hearing God more clearly is the result—then every moment of this fast will be worth it.
