Life on Your Device

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Is your smart phone making you dumb? I am sure you’ve heard all the smart phone jokes floating around the Internet these days. But could there be some truth to the possibility that technology is dumbing us down spiritually and pulling us away from the power of God’s Word? The answer is an emphatic “Yes.” Everything that is good can also have a dark side when done in excess. Be honest, are you tethered to technology? Do you incessantly check your iPhone, iPad, Apple watch, Android or other device? Do you eat with it, travel with it, talk to it (Siri is your friend now). Do you sleep with it because you never know when you might be woken up in the middle of the night and need to answer a call from Washington, DC.? OK, if you are working in Washington and it is a matter of National Security, you get a pass. However, it is safe to say that the majority of us are not on the emergency call list for Washington.

Is your life composed of texting, countless emails, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn, Video Games, Streaming Movies and TV? The list can go on and on, and it does! Now don’t get me wrong; none of these are inherently bad. Where the struggle comes in is when you can’t put these devices aside for even a day so that you can focus on the Lord, His divine presence, His still small voice. Some of you may say “I have a Bible App” or “I get daily devotions on my phone.” That’s fine, but it is never the same as finding a quiet place to get alone with God in your prayer closet and seek His face, unplugged.

We are called to be good stewards of all things, including our time. How are you honoring God with your time? Has this world begun to captivate you and entangle your time? Are you to the point where the very God who graciously gives you this precious gift of time is replaced with LED lights instead of the Light of His Word? 2 Timothy 2:4 tells us that, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” We have been enlisted in the greatest army of all; The Army of God. How can we do battle when we are stowed away in a foxhole playing time killing games on our iPhones?

We live in a world where we cannot just give up technology and head for the mountains of Montana with seeds in a pouch and a canteen of water. I get that. But what if we were to resolve to simply unplug from technology one day a week and fully plug into the Lord? A day may come when your technology power source cannot be accessed. Be sure your spiritual power source never grows dark.

Prayer
Father, I desire to place You above all things. Help me to break away from those things that squander the precious time You have given me. I ask that Your Word permeate my heart that I will always be plugged into and powered by You, for You are my source and my strength, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.