An Explanation of My Lock Screen

At first glance, my phone lock screen looks pretty normal: some floral details and a Bible verse. But upon actually reading the verse, you might wonder why on earth I’d pick that one. Verses like Joshua 1:9 or Philippians 4:13 would surely be more inspirational.

Maybe, but I find that when I reach for my phone, I need a reality check more than a pep talk. That’s why I chose Ecclesiastes 1:8:

“All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.”
– Ecclesiastes 1:8

I am thankful for my phone. It serves as a metronome and tuner. It offers a way to stay up-to-date on emails from all my jobs. It allows me to listen music, podcasts, and audiobooks while running or cleaning. It has provided a way for me to connect with thousands of other worship musicians.

But nobody will be surprised to know that I also struggle with my phone. The same technology that has made it easy to connect with others around the world makes it all-too-easy to scroll mindlessly through video after video of strangers doing things that have no bearing on my life. The same mail app that helps me stay on top of my work makes it difficult to disconnect and rest when I should. The same streaming platforms that bring me beautiful music and compelling podcasts invite me to constantly listen to something—anything—rather than grow comfortable with my own thoughts.

Currently, our church is walking through Ecclesiastes verse by verse. During the first sermon, I met myself in Ecclesiastes 1:8. Even if I am not looking for anything in particular, my eyes are never satisfied. They always crave the dopamine hit of another funny video or text post. And even if I have listened to my few favorite podcasts, my ears twitch for more, more, more—anything but silence.

And what is the result of this compulsive consumption? Weariness.

I know that I am not alone in reaching for my phone during moments of stillness or boredom. But if I’m honest, I know it’s not restful. I feel more worn out after a few minutes of scrolling than I would be if I’d just sat quietly, maybe just staring out my window or closing my eyes for a moment. Screen time isn’t true down time—at least, not for my soul.

Instead, this constant stimulation tends to leave me unutterably worn out and discouraged, much like Solomon after seeing all there was to see in his ancient world. And so, whenever I reach for my phone, I am now confronted by Ecclesiastes 1:8, which unflinchingly describes our dopamine-addicted age. I am reminded to treat my phone as a tool rather than a distraction—to use it with a clear purpose and then to put it aside. Our restless eyes and ears are never satisfied, but that does not mean we have to indulge them, especially not to the detriment of our hearts and minds.

If using Ecclesiastes 1:8 as a lock screen would help you combat digital overuse, you are more than welcome to download the same phone wallpaper: