Multitasking has become a permanent part of our culture. The person who can consistently multitask is often viewed as efficient and highly competent. Multitasking makes sense on many levels. Why stop at only doing one thing when two or more things can be done simultaneously?

Are there costs to the acceleration of multitasking in our lives? Giving one person our undivided attention is now seen as a luxury. We have become frenetic people, always rushing or doing multiple tasks at once. We read emails or check Instagram while at the same time have breakfast with the family. We exercise and listen to podcasts. Watch TV and read. This creates a staccato mind, jumping moment to moment from one thought to another, never settled. How many times have I had to ask Weezie to repeat herself because my mind was elsewhere? 

Have we forgotten how to singletask?            

Jesus had only three years to accomplish a rather mountainous mission and yet I am not aware of a single time that he multitasked, nor can I think of a time when He rushed. He never got caught, like I have, half-heartedly paying attention to the person in front of Him. Think of the time when He was going to heal Jairus’ daughter, a clearly urgent task. A woman touches the hem of His garment and He stops, gives her His full attention, heals her, and then continues to Jairus’ house (Luke 8: 40-56). Or consider Jesus’ words to Martha as she rushed around to serve Him, frustrated as Mary sat quietly at His feet listening to Him. “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10: 41-42). 

In our attempts to accomplish so many things have we lost the joy in the moment? 

Our children, spouses, and friends are victims of our divided attention. One wife lamented about her husband in a poignant movie scene, “Even when he was there, he was not really there.” Does God often feel like that wife? I too often multitask with God. I pray while getting my exercise or driving the car. I study the Bible often with the thought of what new idea I can teach.

Perhaps the time has come to relearn singletasking. Turn over a new leaf today. Give someone your undivided attention. Give God your undivided attention.

Focus on only one task with your whole mind. You may find it difficult to focus, but with practice, singletasking may become the best part of your day.