Airplane Mode
Claudia Schooler of Carlisle, IA, USA
O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gained him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God. -Psalm 98
“Please be sure your phones, tablets and other electronic devices are in airplane mode.” These are instructions travelers hear as their aircraft is preparing to accelerate down the runway for lift-off. Most recently I heard these words in Independence, Missouri, in the Auditorium Chamber at World Conference. Airplane mode? World Conference?
Some of the delegate voting during Conference was by means of small electronic devices. Early in the week it became apparent that the system could not register hundreds of votes coming in at once. The leadership experimented with staggering the voting by seating sections. That still wasn’t enough to allow smooth vote counting.
Then brilliant minds in the Conference technology department thought: “What if all the signals from all of the phones, personal WiFi, and data systems are making so much noise and interference that the voting signals can’t get through?” (paraphrased). Attendees were asked to apply airplane mode to their devices and voting proceeded much more efficiently.
What is jamming the signals between the Holy Spirit and me? Sometimes it is actual electronics: social media, YouTube, texting, television. Does this habitual tech-noise impede God’s communication with me?
Other lifestyle choices can clog my spiritual channels as well: endless to-do lists, worry, hobbies that have become addictions, mental, spiritual, even actual clutter, and more.
God, help me clear the interference. Let me apply airplane mode to my distractions so your signal can get through. AMEN.
Prayer Phrase
Let gratitude show you the way (Doctrine and Covenants Section 165:2b).
Spiritual Practice
Gratitude
Gratitude is an important spiritual practice that invites us to see all of life as a gift. We give thanks for our breath, the food we eat, people we love, and all that we have that truly matters. We remember that we are connected and sustained by a web of relationships with creation, God, and other people. Take time each day this month to practice giving thanks and to consider-for what am I most grateful?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
