The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Digital Detox (04/24/14)
I wondered how my friends would react to the news of leaving their beloved media devices at the door. I'd received the lengthy rules to abide by list about five minutes prior to arriving at the agreed upon pick-up destination.

While waiting in my car for my friends, I realized I couldn't wait to go and commune with God. It was something I'd longed to do for quite some time, and never had the chance to do so, until now.

The retreat, located in the beautiful hills of Northern New England, offered a place to meditate, fast, and get closer to God. It also was an escape from society. A peaceful sanctuary to be free from the flood of social media technology, and worldly things.

I was secretly praying that devices couldn't come onto the sanctuary grounds. "Yes, thank you God!" But, my friends...typical social media gals, would not be happy campers with this bit of news.

I'd actually gotten to a point where I felt like wearing a sign: No, I'm not on FaceBook--although I tried it for two days--and I'm not on twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, or Instagram. I like my regular old fashioned email, and my Devotinal website. Enough for me to handle, and all that God wants me to focus on...Him and Him alone. Writing and Him.

Anyhow, back to my story. I was smiling widely and could hardly wait to bask in God's natural phrontistery which is to say His landscape created by His Hands.

I watched my friends pull up and walk toward my car. I knew there would be a reaction that would make any given volcano look like a childhood science experiment.

"Hi ladies."

"Hello" Gail and Val said in unison.

"Well ladies, I have to tell you something...but before I do, please try to focus on the reason for our retreat."

I looked straight ahead, and then decided to just say it without further ado, "You will have to leave all of your media devices at the front desk when we check in. I just received the confirmation moments ago, and there were explicit instructions."

"What?" Again, they answered in unison.

"Yeah. I think you heard correctly."

Val's face turned crimson, "Are you kidding me? How will I know what's happening when I'm away? How will I keep count of the likes? How will I see the Instagram’s? How will I see if anyone accepted my invitations to Linkedin?"

"Exactly? What about my business, or my financial stats? Or my comments for my throw back Thursday pics and selfies? Ugh, not to mention the texts!" Gail screamed while her eyes opened wide.

"Ladies, ladies...please! We're going to get closer to God. It's a retreat to fast, pray and meditate and study His Word. Where does all of what you're lamenting about fit into that equation? Those comments are of the world. We're going to get away from the world. We're going to focus on Him. Hello? Why are you not getting this?"

"Hey, easy for you to say…you don't care because you’re not involved with any of the social media audience...so you don't count. You really don’t count!" Val’s voice was piercing and riddled with sarcasm at its very best.

I started the engine, and in a very low voice replied, "I count where God is concerned. Call me old fashioned, crazy, an oddball—I've heard it all before—but I've no desire to be a part of that scene. I'm not judging, neither condemning, nor condoning...just saying, it's not for me. I respect your right to hobbies and decisions to be on social media, please respect mine not to. As far as this retreat, I’m going for one very good reason and one reason only…God. Now, do you both still want to go?"

After a moment of silence "Yes," they answered in unison.



Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you that he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 KJV)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1042 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
lynn gipson 
05/03/14
This is great. I love it. A lifelong friend of mine told me she had the family Easter celebration at her house, and as they all filed in she held an Easter basket for them to put their cell phones and i pads in. They had a wonderful Easter without them!

Very well written, and an excellent write. Funny, since this topic, I haven't been on my computer as much.

I think I smell a winner!
lynn gipson 
05/03/14
And meant to add I love the message it sends! Blessings...
Joe Moreland
05/04/14
I love this as well. I think many people do long for a respite from the world, an opportunity to cut themselves out of digital society and go into the garden, so to speak, to commune with God. They just don't know how to do it. Others, amazingly, are truly afraid that everything will fall apart if they disengage for a few days. It used to be so easy to break away, just physically take yourself to some remote place, but the digital world can reach you just about anywhere now...these days it takes a little more work.

You did a great job on this piece and the writing and characters were excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Ken Ebright 
05/07/14
I actually went to a retreat that was like what you said. They wouldn't even let you wear a watch. In the morning you couldn’t get up until you heard the bell. I have a coworker it seems like she is always on her cell phone. When she drives into the parking lot she's on her phone. I thin her whole life would end if her phone broke.
Robert Douglas Brown
05/07/14
110% dead-on accurate! A great article that hit home with me. I do not care for cell phones (they do not work within miles of my home). I think God has to smile when we back away from technology, and head for God's word.
You write fantastic articles that teach what God lays on your heart. God speaks clearly through your articles. I am looking forward to reading your Omnishambles article.

God Bless!