Keep the main thing, the main thing

When it comes to studies, work or life, it's important.

There's an old programming joke about a fever lover who spends far longer creating an automation than the time they would save from that automation.

from XKCD

Sometimes it feels that way about bible study tools and note taking.

While sometime learning about a tool and how to use it better is good, there's a limit. While it's good to "sharpen the saw", you've got to use the saw too.

And with Bible study and note taking, part of that is just getting into the Bible.

The more you read, reflect and study, the more you get out of it. Doing it alone isn't optimal, but neither is only read reflection on the text rather than reading the text.

But this danger isn't limited to learning how to study (or studying studies on studying). It can also come from new tools.

A new app just entered the chat…

As I type, there's a new note taking app taking the knowledge management community by storm. Beyond all the hype, there does seem to be some aspects that make superior to other apps. At least in some ways.

But that's true of most note taking apps: they all have an advantage even if that advantage is simplicity and lack of features.

Moving to a new system always has a cost. It usually involves relearning and possibly redesign the way you take notes. That's if you can import your notes directly across. If you can't, well you'll probably have to clean them up or manually enter them.

All that time could be spent in study, writing or revisiting old notes and updating them.

Why am I writing all this?

I recently joined a new community on how to use Logos, the Bible study app, more effectively. I’ve benefited a lot from the group and I’m enjoying this month’s book club too. But it’s come at a cost too.

I’ve spent less time in private study on topics I’m interested in.

This has also been the case since I started working (though soon won’t be) at Pompom. I started to listen to more podcasts on a broader range of topics to help the podcast, but it’s taken me away from note taking and bible study (even though some podcasts were about those topics!)

So I’m making the main thing the main thing again.

Maybe this reflection is useful for you. Maybe it applies to some other area (like in the workplace where you’ve got distracted by busy work and not a core task?) and maybe it’s not relevant at all.

Regardless, <youth pastor voice> I hope we can all keep the truly main thing¹ our main thing </youth pastor voice>.

1. I’m talking about Jesus.