Turn It Off

Last weekend I happily attended my aunt's birthday party.

Both my parents came from large families so I grew up with many uncles and aunts.

That was long ago.

Of all those uncles and aunts only this one remains.

It was wonderful celebrating this special day with her.

It was also very nice to be surrounded by family.

I took many photographs and look forward to giving them to her.

I was especially glad to see everybody spending some quality time with her.

I took my turn as well.

I also enjoyed spending time with my cousins and their families.

We talked about how much things have changed since we were young.

After several such conversations, I began to wonder.

Have times changed forcing us to cope with them?

Or, have we changed forcing the times to accommodate us?

Frankly, I think it is a combination of both.

Certainly technology has changed.

But these advances were supposed to make our lives simpler and better.

But have they really?

It seems that we are all doing more but accomplishing less.

We are bombarded with information but know so very little.

Then there is the element that concerns me most of all.

We spend so much time with our phones and devices that we interact with others less and less every day.

I recall an evening when I went to a restaurant and a young couple came in and sat at a nearby table.

They were on a date but the first thing each did when seated was get out their phones and began texting.

I will admit that the thought of them texting others and ignoring each other bothered me.

One thought bothered me more.

Could they actually be texting each other?

Is this the future of human relationships?

This reminded me of a conversation I had with a cousin at the party about time.

I think most everyone agrees that as we get older time seems to go by faster.

Frankly, I do not think time goes by any faster but rather our perception of its passing changes.

Isn't it possible that this is part of God's plans for our lives.

If we do not know Jesus as we should doesn't it make sense that God would put this mechanism in place to heighten our sense of urgency to know Him?

If we do know Him, doesn't it then follow that we experience a similar sense of urgency to share Him with others?

While it is all well and good to use technology to share our faith we must not forget the importance of personal, face to face encounters.

Such opportunities present themselves all the time.

That is when we need do is turn off our devices and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Great Commission still apples.

Mark 16:15 (NET) – He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 5, 2014.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 12, 2014