READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 1: 8-11
In fact, we expect to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. (V. 9)
Christmas found my wife and me receiving Fitbit watches as gifts from our family. Strangely, I find myself tied to this little device which measures my daily physical activity. This little demon vibrates when it feels I have not been active enough; informs me of my current heart rate and caloric burn; and congratulates me when I have met its algorithm-based standard of excellence. When I retired, I purposely refrained from wearing a watch as part of my rebellion against the frenzied pace of life in today’s world. Now, Mr. Baby Boomer frequently looks at his watch trying to follow its mandates for a healthful existence–go figure!
My “health watch” experience reminded me that most of us are quite tied to technology. Our cell phones have become permanent attachments to our hands and ears. While we have reaped the benefits of being able to stay in real time contact with friends and family and have instant access to an exhaustive data base of knowledge, they also come with negatives. Distracted driving has become a leading cause of traffic crashes; inter-personal face to face communication has declined; learning environments have fallen prey to non-essential distractions and disruptions; people find they work 24/7 which we have labeled a virtue; and we have become subject to a constant deluge of false and misleading information designed to influence all aspects of our lives. Yes, technology has made us more self-dependent than is physically, emotionally, morally or spiritually healthy.
Paul and his followers felt crushed and overwhelmed during certain periods of their lives, especially on their missionary journeys to Asia. They had to totally rely on God. Many times, they were completely powerless over their circumstances. They recognized it was vitally necessary to remain in constant with God, for he was the only power available to lead, guide and protect them. This is a good reminder for us. We need to internalize that God is the sole source of power in and over our lives. He is a personal source that cannot be accessed by any application on our cell phones, laptops or computers.
PAUSE FOR REFECTION AND PRAYER
Technology can help us lead better and more productive lives, otherwise God would not have allowed its development. However, it cannot replace, in any shape or form, the necessity for staying personally tied to God. HE is the only path to leading lives of truth, passion and purpose.
Dear God, help me remain firmly and directly connected to you and not become self-dependent upon my own instincts, knowledges and technologies.