Toy Story 5: Making time for connection

As Toy Story 5 plays on our screens, Naomi Blowers encourages us not to be distracted from being present with God.

When Pixar released Toy Story 5, many people expected another nostalgic adventure with Woody, Buzz and the gang. Instead, they gave us something surprisingly relevant. The toys are no longer competing with other toys: they are competing with a screen. Bonnie receives a smart tablet called Lilypad, and gradually the toys become forgotten. The film explores how screens can quietly become the centre of a child’s world.

The message isn’t that technology is bad. The danger is not the device itself – it is what happens if the device becomes the thing that captures all our attention. Isn’t that exactly the challenge facing Christians today?

Our greatest distraction is rarely something sinful. More often, it is something good that has become ultimate. Our phones connect us to thousands of people, yet can potentially disconnect us from the person sitting beside us. We know the latest news from around the world, but might struggle to hear the still, small voice of God. We scroll endlessly, yet rarely stop long enough to pray.

Jesus told Martha: ‘You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better’ (Luke 10:41 and 42). Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was simply distracted. The Enemy doesn’t always need to make us bad people; sometimes he only needs to make us busy people.

In Toy Story 5, the toys slowly realise that Bonnie is missing something far greater than simply playing with toys: she is missing imagination, adventure, face-to-face relationships, wonder, the joy of creating stories as well as consuming them. Jesus understood the importance of childlike wonder. In Mark 10:14, when the disciples tried to keep children away, Jesus said: ‘Let the little children come to me … for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ Children teach us something adults often forget. They notice butterflies. They ask questions. They laugh loudly. They imagine impossible things. They live fully in the present moment.

Psalm 46:10 simply says: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Notice the order. Be still. Then know. We often reverse it. We want to know God without becoming still. We want deep faith while living distracted lives. We want intimacy with Christ while constantly checking the next notification.

Ephesians 5:15 and 16 challenge us: ‘Be very careful, then, how you live ... making the most of every opportunity.’ Time is one of God’s greatest gifts. Attention is one of our greatest acts of worship. Whatever has your attention will eventually shape your heart. So perhaps the real question isn’t how much screen time you have. The question is: Who or what has first place in my heart?

Technology can help us read Scripture. Technology can connect churches across the world. Technology can spread the gospel. But technology must never replace time with God, meaningful conversation, laughter, prayer or simply sitting quietly in God’s presence. Maybe today God is gently inviting you to rediscover the joy of simply being present with him. Because the greatest relationship we will ever have is not with a device that says ‘look at me’, but with a Saviour who lovingly says: ‘Come to me’ (Matthew 11:28).

Reflect and respond

• What captures your attention more quickly than God?
• When was the last time you sat quietly with God without distraction?
• Are you consuming more content than you are creating space for God to speak?
• Before you go to bed tonight, put your phone down 30 minutes earlier than usual. Spend that time reading Scripture, praying, talking with your family or sitting quietly before God.