We live in an age of constant, persistent, intrusive interruptions. Smart phones with their apps and notifications rather than being controlled by and used by us seem to master and enslave us instead as we become addicted to them and the affirmation and attention we receive through likes and responses.
Jonathan Thomas’ book Intentional Interruptions is a response to the impact that social media and technology is having on us. It begins with him recounting how he and a group of others determined to spend 24 hours walking without the interruptions of technology, leaving their phones and watches at home, they headed off on a long trek. He describes how at first it took time to readjust and there were a few hours of that itch to get his phone back and see what was going on. He refers to the problem of FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out. However, as time went by, he and his companions began again to enjoy the pleasures of being out in God’s creation and of one another’s company.
This book though differs to some of the offerings we might see on engaging social technology and media. First because Jonathan isn’t exclusively negative towards those things. He sees genuine benefit from smart phones and apps. These can, in his opinion be mastered and used for good.
Secondly, it differs because rather than simply complaining and bewailing the snares of our age, Jonathan takes time to offer a positive alternative both in terms of vision and in terms of practical steps to enjoy it.
Jonathan’s thesis is found in the sub-title of the book “learning to be interrupted the way that God intended.” The things that tend to interrupt us distract us away from God. However, God’s purpose is to interrupt us in order to draw our attention back to himself.
He describes a number of ways in which God does this, the ultimate interruption being the Gospel itself. However, much of what he describes is about being alert to what God might be up to in the ordinariness of life. He spends a significant amount of time talking about the place of rest through stopping and pausing, sleep and sabbath. He encourages us to be thrilled again by creation itself and he talks about how Gospel conversations with others can be another interruption, even if they don’t lead to conversations, God can still be at work in them for our good too.
With its emphasis on disciplines including confession and solitude, the book might be seen as a (reformed) Spiritual Disciplines for the 21st Century ( he refers a few times to Foster’s classic). So, whilst I read through the book in one sitting in order to get its flavour for this review, I would therefore encourage you to read through it slowly and meditatively, pausing to put into practice the suggestions. It can also be used in a group and there are some helpful discussion questions as well as prayers for reflection at the end of each chapter.
This is an engaging, fast paced, short read that is saturated in Scripture as well as full of humble personal testimony. Thomas writes in a warm and gentle style meaning that he is able to both challenge and encourage at the same time.
I strongly encourage you to buy, read and give away this helpful little book.
Intentional Interruptions is available to pre-order from Christian Focus Publications, priced at £8.99
Faithroots 
1 comment
Comments are closed.