Thanks to Karen White, our blog editor from Victoria, BC, for writing this entry that encourages and challenges us …
As a baby boomer, I consider myself part of a vintage group. In my youth, I worked and played without technology. I remember recording songs with a cassette tape recorder while listening to the radio. No Spotify or iTunes back then. No Google, Alexa or CoPilot for instant research. We had a shelf of hard cover encyclopedias at home and if you needed more information, you trudged off to the library. How things have changed! Thankfully, I was not around in the days before electricity, but I do remember our first TV.
The Pros and Cons of Technology
Debate roars on about the pros and cons of technology. I suspect that most of you are like me, harbouring a mixture of excitement about medical advances and areas that aim to improve quality of life. But socially, we all worry about the repercussions. I have witnessed family members in their pre-teen era become addicted to social media and lose their interest for in-person time with family. Like many aspects of the world we live in, technology is a multi-faceted tool used across a vast spectrum of good and evil. A health focused influencer recently posted “I’m sorry to report that walking 30 minutes a day without your phone is the most underrated way to improve your mind and body.” I think that influencer may be right.
Technology and Jesus
What does this rambling about technology have to do with Jesus?
I recently listened to my favourite Christian music station as the host asked whether we assign the same value to Jesus as we do to our phones. What if we gave Jesus even equal regard? At first, I was indignant, but admittedly, the question stuck with me! I came up with more.
Ask yourself the following:
- Are you totally reliant on your phone to get through the day?
- If you lose your phone, do you run around trying to find it (or ask Siri to help you!)?
- Are you checking in with your phone throughout the day even when there is no specific need to?
Conversation with Jesus & the “R” of inSPIRE®
Our need to connect with Jesus touches every aspect of inSPIRE, but mostly the “R” of Relationships, by considering the choices we make that impact our relationship with Jesus and others.
Personally, the questions above led me to examine my patterns and choices and assess where Instagram might be getting more of my time than the Bible. I realized my morning online puzzle ritual was taking priority over starting my day with a wake-up prayer that involved a loving conversation with a living God. My conversation quality and quantity with Jesus were gradually declining without my realization.
Conversation with Jesus in & out of our Crises
Spiritual habits that I cultivated in a season of crisis were eroding simply through the living of everyday life. I want to get back to reliance on constant communication with Jesus. Constant conversation lets you lean in and share all aspects of your life (the good, the bad and the ugly) with the One who died for you.
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds his disciples that:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 (NIV)
This reminder can apply to so many aspects of life, even though it was written so long ago – it prods me to ask myself about the energy and attention I give to things.
Do my wake-up and morning routines set me up for inclusion of Jesus in my day? Am I connecting with Jesus throughout the day for worship, giving thanks and lifting others in need of prayer and support? In the evening and at night, am I making room to give him thanks rather than fueling my monkey brain with worries about what tomorrow holds?
No App Required
If you find yourself wanting deeper connection, it does not have to be complicated. For a tough season, I went everywhere with Psalm 91 written on a sheet of paper and that was my reference point. And when the tough season got even tougher, I memorized key words that I could repeat when I didn’t have the energy to read the whole chapter. I believe that he was with me when all I could utter was “refuge, fortress, my God in whom I trust”.
In this beautiful world where sin and suffering persist, the only way to truly stand firm in navigating life is through the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus. All relationships start with a compelling conversation. An easy way to begin a conversation with Jesus is to put the phone away and just talk to him – that’s prayer.
There is no app required and he is always there, waiting to connect with you.
Karen White
7 Responses
I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you Karen! I’m at the very end of the Baby Boomers. I remember turning off the TV and watching the tiny light disappear into the middle of the screen! I really miss those days where we played outside all the time & feel so bad for most kids who miss out on what we had because we didn’t have the technology that they have now. But then again I’m thankful for the good parts of where technology has come in the area of the medical field & other positive areas!
Thank you for bringing up the question in my mind of how much time do I spend on my phone and could I instead spend that time with Jesus and prayer! This world sure needs prayer and we need to stay strong in these crazy days here on earth and be a light to those who are lost around us and spend time reading God’s Word!
We really need to pray for the next generation that they will come to know Jesus as it’s a dangerous world out there now with technology and they are so vulnerable. We all have to really be on guard in all areas as the enemy comes to steal, kill & destroy.
Press on and keep fighting the fight! Dana
Thank you, Dana. You reminded me that as baby boomers, we can help light a path for younger friends and family. There is power in prayer. In our everyday living, we can set an example, hold a hand or make a connection.
I also lived in the days when there was no TV, no telephone, no Computers or iPad. We walked to School and Church and had fun playing outdoors. Recently, I have decided to read my Bible each day instead of checking my iPad. It is much more rewarding! Having a Relationship with Jesus is more important. It brings Peace, Love and Joy! 💕 🥰
Every day we make choices that influence how we function in relationship with Jesus and others. I pray that your daily bible reading continues to bring peace, love and joy! Philippians 4:7 (NIV): …and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This really resonated with me. Well said. May my days be more rooted in relationship with God – reaching out to hold the hand of another while releasing the tight grip on my devices.
Excellent post. I do feel for this generation who is so captivated by their phones (and let’s be honest, me too!). No wonder anxiety is skyrocketing.
I think we are seeing the effects as time goes on. The Hallmark Christmas movie I just watched (that came out this year) really hammers the distraction and other implications of intense tech use rather than in-person relationality even with people. The outcome of being too distracted to connect with God is such a “now” challenge.