Christian Living
I’ve always considered myself to be pretty up-to-date on the ways of technical communication. What I don’t get is the appeal some of it is said to offer, such a text messaging.
Call me a misfit in this modern world, but this whole texting thing seems to be an awful lot of hassle. Why would I want to squint and risk finger cramps to let someone know I’m running late? Why not just pick up the phone?
A few weeks ago, it was my turn to drive my teenaged son and several buddies to their youth meeting at church. After I’d pulled into the driveway of one friend’s house, my son jumped from the car and walked to the door.
With dumbfounded amazement, I watched him whip out his cell phone and text his friend to let him know he was waiting on the porch.
“RING THE DOORBELL!” I called from the car.
He looked at me as though I was from Mars, his puzzled expression appearing to ask, “What’s a doorbell and how do I ring it?”
It’s the same reaction I get from my kids when I suggest they turn off the TV sans remote. “We can’t turn it off without the remote!”
“Oh, yes you can.”
“HOW?”
I wonder what they’d do if I suggested they make the Bagel Bites in the oven instead of the microwave, or that they unlock the car by actually inserting the key into the lock, rather than zap the remote that does all the work for them.
I often wonder how my mother survived without email, a cell phone, 49 news channels and, of course, Spray ‘n Wash for the laundry. Somehow, between all that scrubbing of stubborn stains, she managed to know the whereabouts of her family, receive messages, keep on top of obligations and stay informed about world events.
I’ve heard it said that, the more advanced the world becomes, the more difficult life gets. For all our modern technology, it seems like people are more stressed out and pressed for time than ever before. Communication has taken a big hit as well—sure, messages might be instant, but they’re still lost, misconstrued, missed and, sadly, lacking that personal touch. While those little dancing emoticons might help convey the spirit in which a message is sent, they aren’t the same as a real expression or voice.
Yet, the world stays obsessed with the latest in technology. Everyone wants to communicate, but in ways that requires typing. I’m willing to bet that, were it possible, people would spend their prayer time texting God instead of talking to God.
And that brings me to the point of this article. How are we trying to talk with God? In the rush and worry of this modern world, are we seeking new and improved ways to communicate with our Father? Perhaps we try to mutli-task by praying, driving and applying mascara all at once. Do we dash off our prayers with the speed of the world’s current Text Messaging Champ? Maybe we’re substituting prayer time with listening to praise music, watching Christian broadcasting on our HDTV’s or surfing the Internet for lessons on Godly living.
Now, don’t get me wrong—such resources are excellent for praising and learning, but they shouldn’t replace good, old fashioned one-on-one time with God, which is achieved through undistracted prayer and reading scripture.
These days, you don’t even have to shed your pajamas to “attend” church. Chances are, there is a sermon on TV, and many churches offer their services on-line. These modern capabilities can be a great resource, too, but they can also close us off from the fellowship of other believers.
Let’s make sure that bigger and better ways of communication aren’t actually causing a gap between us and God. And no matter how phenomenal the latest tech toy or Christian information resource may be, let ‘s remember these words from writer John Henry Newman:
I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple,
But God declared: "Go down again --
I dwell among the people."
God is right here with us, not locked away in Technology Geek Paradise, emailing the angels, texting His answers to prayer requests, updating His blog or screening calls.
Technology changes, but God doesn’t. (Malachi 3:6) We know we can count on Him not to crash, need a battery recharge or go totally kaput because He accidentally went through the washing machine.
As always, He’s waiting to hear our VOICE.
©Donna G. Morton October 2007
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