It is an interesting day and age we find ourselves in. Never before has technology been as affordable, advanced, and pervasive as it is today. We fill our days with texts, tweets, e-mails, phone calls, and breaking news stories delivered right to the little device in our pocket. An infinite world of music, movies, games and other various forms of entertainment are constantly at our fingertips (quite literally). Social networking has replaced coffee dates and time with family has been replaced with each family member engulfed in their personal cyber reality. Generations past would truly be awed as our daily reality was nothing more than science fiction in their day. Certainly technology isn’t entirely bad. Indeed it has countless benefits, of which I am exceedingly grateful. However, has it ever occurred to you that though we are more connected now than ever before we are living our lives unconnected in other, more important, ways?
Martyred missionary Jim Elliot said it best when he said, “Wherever you are, be all there”. When was the last time you had a conversation face to face with someone without having eight other conversations going on at the same time via text? When was the last time you took notes in class instead of social networking? When was the last time you engaged with your family in conversation over dinner without also engaging your friends through your phone? Just imagine the special moments with friends, family, and even God we miss out on because we are not entirely mentally present.
Don’t get me wrong; being entirely present is still an art I am trying to master. However, I am finding myself increasingly convinced that it is an art worth perfecting. I would challenge you to pick up your phone less and engage with people more. Who knows, we might just find that the app store doesn’t have everything…
