Last days, lasting focus • followHIM Favorites • May 18-24 • Come, Follow Me

3 min

•May 14, 202620 days ago

Summary

This Follow Him Favorites episode explores the theme of distraction in the Book of Joshua, using a tragic 2008 MetroLink train accident caused by texting to illustrate how distractions can derail even experienced professionals. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining focus on Christ and being intentional about what captures our attention in daily life.

Insights

Distractions are particularly dangerous because they can compromise even highly competent and experienced individuals, with potentially catastrophic consequences
Modern technology (smartphones, apps) creates a cycle where people repeatedly return to distracting tools despite recognizing their negative impact
Spiritual and practical focus requires daily intentional choice and self-awareness about where attention is being directed
The theme of 'keeping eyes on Christ' serves as an anchor for maintaining focus amid competing demands for attention

Trends

Growing recognition of technology-induced distraction as a systemic problem affecting professional performance and safetyIncreased awareness among younger generations (college students) of app-based distraction and attempts at digital minimalismReligious and secular convergence on the importance of intentional focus and attention management in modern lifeParadox of digital literacy: awareness of distraction problems coexisting with inability to break distraction cycles

Topics

Digital distraction and smartphone usageAttention management and focusTechnology safety in transportationReligious teachings on discipleship and focusBehavioral patterns and habit formationBook of Joshua teachingsLast days theologyCell phone addiction cyclesProfessional competence and distractionSpiritual focus and Christ-centered living

Companies

MetroLink

Commuter train operator involved in 2008 Chatsworth, California accident caused by engineer distraction from texting

Apple

iPhone and iPad mentioned as examples of devices that cause distraction, including physical injury from dropping on face

Brigham Young University

Host teaches students there and uses classroom examples about app deletion and distraction patterns

People

John

Co-host who shares stories and insights about distraction and focus related to Book of Joshua

Richard G. Scott

Quoted for his statement that Satan uses distraction as a powerful tool against good people

David Jeremiah

Author of book about living in the last days; provided the MetroLink train accident story used as teaching example

Camille Olson

Guest expert on Book of Joshua for the full Follow Him podcast episode this week

Peter

Referenced for scripture about returning to distractions like a dog to its vomit

Quotes

"Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction."

Richard G. Scott (quoted by host)•Early in episode

"Something as simple as a cell phone could be so distracting to a veteran engineer that it costs so many people their lives"

Host, referencing David Jeremiah•Mid-episode

"We cling to our distractions. We return to our distractions like a dog to its vomit."

Host•Mid-episode

"Every day, remind yourself, am I distracted? Am I staying focused?"

Host•Mid-episode

"We have all got to just keep our eyes on the Savior."

Host•Early-mid episode

Full Transcript

Hey, welcome to Follow Him Favorites. John and I share a single story to go with each week's Come Follow Me lesson. John, we're in the book of Joshua this week, and you've told me you have a story. Yeah, I think one of the most memorable verses of Joshua is, Choo-gee, this day whom ye will serve. Yep. Right. And there's also verses about hearkening, and I just think there's so many different things that are trying to get our attention today that are distracting. One of my favorite Elder Richard G. Scott quotations was, Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. Distraction, yep. Choosing what to give our attention to. So I picked up this little book by David Jeremiah about living in the last days, and this is what he wrote, one of the worst train accidents in American history happened in the fall of 2008 near Chatsworth, California. A MetroLink commuter train ran a red light on the tracks and collided head on with a freight train, killing 25 people and injuring 135 others. What went wrong? When investigators probed the accident, they found that the engineer received seven text messages and had sent five himself during the fateful ride. It is amazing to think that something as simple as a cell phone could be so distracting to a veteran engineer that it costs so many people their lives, including the engineer himself. But that is what distractions do. They can trip up the most competent and experienced people and wreak havoc in all manner of ways. Just so you know, I get distracted too. We have all got to just keep our eyes on the Savior. That has been such a theme we've been hearing to walk with me and to keep our eyes on Christ. Every day, remind yourself, am I distracted? Right. Am I staying focused? Sometimes I'll ask my BYU students, how many of you have deleted an app? It took too much of your time and almost all of them raised their hand. And I'll say, how many of you redownloaded that app and almost all of them raised their hand? Funny that we cling to our distractions. We return to our distractions like a dog to its vomit. That's what Peter would say. He's another scripture. Hank, I think I've heard you say, have you ever held your phone, followed slain? Drop it on your face, right? You know at that point it's a distraction. Raise your hand if you dropped a phone on your face. Where'd you get that wound? I dropped my iPhone. One girl came to me. She said it was an iPad. Oh, ouch. At least it wasn't a laptop. We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get any of your podcast. We're with Dr. Camille Olson this week in the book of Joshua. She shows us things, John, I have never seen before. It's fantastic. Then come back here next week. We'll do another Follow Him favorites.