The click of buttons is the only sound in the room as my
friend and I sit with our Bibles open. I asked her to come and read my Bible with
me so we could talk about God and fellowship with each other. Unfortunately, she
kept getting distracted by her ever-present cell phone. Every few moments she
would pull it out and start texting - she was with a friend somewhere else
instead of with me, even though I was right next to her. Once or
twice, she even went on the internet; then argued against me using information
garnered from Wikipedia. On the ride to my house, she hadn't even really
talked to me. She had just been listening to her iPod. Now she wasn't
even discussing any thing biblical with me - but texting a friend!
Sound like a familiar situation? I know
I’ve experienced it more than once. Our generation is completely surrounded by and focused on
technology. People read books online
rather than in print; they listen to recorded music rather than attending live
concerts; they prefer electronic games over board games. Texting has become
rampant as a method of quick communication. Facebook is used instead of simply
asking someone what is happening in their life.
Our whole world today seems to revolve around technology and the internet.
Imagine what would happen if you went a day without your email? Or even
without your phone? I know people who act like their going to die
just because they had their phone taken away. Technology has become an
addiction as severe as any other. It has a pull, seems desirable and worthwhile,
and can even be used correctly . . . but have people become obsessed?
We seem to gravitate toward the computer, or the TV at every opportunity. But
what about our Bibles? Do we ever have the random desire to read them? We know more about how to use our phones
than we do about finding a particular place in Scripture. We remember the most recent pop song
easily, but why is it that whenever we try to think of a hymn, we come up
with nothing? Do we pray as often as we should? We talk to everyone, from
the mailman to our best friend to our parents - but do we talk to God? He is the best friend we will ever have, and
we need to treat him like one.
So maybe next time you’re about to go on Facebook or whittle hours away on
useless games or texting or listening to music, ask yourself if you have dedicated
any time to God that day. If not, you know what you should do. Remember to keep your priorities straight and
worship Jesus instead of the things of this world.
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