Phubbed

I don’t qualify as a “geek.” But, at my age, I’m very interested in new words that describe our technological world. I just ran across this one last week — “PHUBBED.” If, like me, you have no idea what it means, you’ll get it from this question: When was the last time someone looked down at their cell phone, or answered a text, while you were talking with them? You just got phubbed — snubbed by someone whose attention was arrested by their cell phone.

Phubbing happens! But, it isn’t kind. While the gift of attention doesn’t seem like much, it certainly is gaining importance in our technological world. Our attention simply says, “You matter more to me than my ringtone.”

I don’t like being phubbed and, most likely, you don’t either. Does the Scripture forbid such action? Well, phubbing wasn’t an issue with the people in biblical times. However, it does speak to it in principle.

Romans 12.9a: Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. [NLT]

Philippians 2.3-4: Don’t be selfish … be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. [NLT]

God keeps His eyes upon you. You are an object of His attention — the “apple of His eye.” You have never been phubbed by God. Never! And you never will be. 

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12.10