INSPIRASUNS

I had an interesting conversation with a guy yesterday who is working on some equipment at the entrance of our community. The community is replacing some old equipment that has been around for over 25 years. Needless to say, things haven’t gone as smoothly as we’d like, missing parts, this software doesn’t talk to that software, need a cable here for internet, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyway, this fairly young guy, by my standards, surprised me because he simply said, “All this tech, it’s really not helping a lot of things. If I could, I’d walk away from it all tomorrow”. I would have thought that every young person these days can’t be without tech!

The discussion got me thinking about where we are today. How many times do you go into a restaurant and see a family at a table, not saying a word to each other because they are looking at their cell phones? Your Ring doorbell tells you who delivered a package and when, or if the kid next door tp’d your house. Nowadays you can even look inside your refrigerator using an app on your phone, from the supermarket. And of course let’s not forget…if you have Alexa or Google, well, you can tell those little devices to turn on music, set your alarm, or even preheat your oven for you.

Yep, I think things have gone a little too far in many ways. Call me old school I guess, but I’m not a fan of my cell phone. I much prefer talking to guests when I’m at a restaurant. I don’t want a Ring doorbell with cameras everywhere, I’d prefer if the delivery guy just rang my regular ole doorbell. I don’t need to look inside my fridge from the supermarket because, gee, I made an old-fashioned shopping list, and if I forget something, well, I’ll catch it next time. Lastly, I don’t need Alexa, Google, or any other cyber device to turn on my music, alarm, or oven thanks.

I think the convenience of our technology has moved us further away from human connection. We don’t talk to each other, we text. We don’t write letters to loved ones, we email. We don’t send a handwritten invitation to a special gathering, we send an electronic invite. We don’t make a home-cooked meal because, well, Uber Eats and Grub Hub can bring it to us.

Is this really what Father intended? I don’t believe so. The human touch and human connection are so powerful. Our connection with God can never be found through technology because that connection is through our hearts and soul.

I’d like to encourage you to make time to step away from the technology and toys. Get back to talking with family over dinner. Take a long walk instead of scrolling through social media. Visit a loved one or friend and reconnect. Put Alexa in a box for the weekend and see how you manage 🙂 Take up gardening, canning, or some other hobby where you use your hands to create. Make time to sit with Father and explore a relationship that’s fueled by your heart.

Let’s get back to some basics and slow down just a bit, I think we’ll all find a renewed spirit and a sense of accomplishment if we do.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.