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“Everything is permissible…but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible…but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
I called out to my daughter on the way to the car, “It’s time to leave for soccer. Grab your bag and let’s go.” Claire jumped in the front seat, stuck headphones in her ears, and set her phone on vibrate. A few seconds later, she reached down and scrolled through an incoming text. In the drivers seat merely inches away, I watched silently as she carried on a virtual chat with a friend who wasn’t even riding in our car! We arrived at the fields and she dashed off to join her teammates, already rambling on excitedly about what happened that day at school.
I had hoped our time in the car would be spent talking and sharing stories about the day.
It’s an odd feeling – being left out as my children text or listen to music while we ride together in the car. I’ve even been tempted to ban their use on the spot, justified in my complaint that handheld devices have become viral in the lives of my teenagers. But honestly, I’d feel a little lost without my phone or computer. After all, I use them to manage my daily life.
Have I also fallen prey to the lure and availability of technology?
In his book, Replenish, Lance Witt raises a great point:
“With the advent and availability of technology, sunset is no longer a boundary for us. We can stay plugged in and engaged 24/7. But just because we can doesn’t mean we should.”
The verse in 1st Corinthians 10:23 rings true to my ears. Technology isn’t a sufficient substitute for human interaction, and left unchecked, can easily cut us off from the closeness felt in personal relationships.
Jesus’ life was all about relationships, so as I strive to become more Christ-like, I had to ask myself a tough question. Have I stayed plugged into technology, or am I embracing opportunities to connect with my family instead?
Unplug from technology and plug into family time!
The expanded version of this story entitled, Getting A Handle on Handhelds, was featured in the Orange Country Register.
