-cell phone (no, it is not a smart phone)
-mp3 player (no, its not an iPod)
-television
-dvd player
-laptop
-GPS
Now, I am going to say that in terms of this society, I don't have the latest stuff nor do I have a lot (when I compare myself to others). I don't have the smartphone. I don't have an iTouch or an iPhone or whatever. Reasons 1) I am too frugal for that nonsense and 2) I just don't care.
Yet, I still disgust myself.
Secondly, I'm going to spit a few facts.
83% of American adults own some sort of cell phone
51% of adult cell phone owners used their phone for information they needed right away
42% of cell phone owners used phone for entertainment when they were bored
20% of cell phone owners got frustrated when their phone was taking too long to do something
13% of cell phone owners pretended to use their phone in order to avoid interacting with the people around them
(Survey was conducted on 2,277 adults in the spring of 2011)
Now, I pray just about daily that God breaks my heart for what breaks His. Since this has been on my heart for a LOONNNNNGGGG time, I'm thinking it disgusts Him too. Then when I think about disgusting God, I become even more disgusted with myself.
Now, I'm really only going to focus on cellphones and laptops. Honestly, the laptop isn't the problem it is the internet.
To take it another step, its not the cellphone's fault or the internet's. It is mine. I'm not living in denial.
When I am bored, I get on facebook, twitter, or I text a friend. When I have better things to do, I get on facebook, twitter, or I text a friend. When I should be going to bed, I get on facebook, twitter, or I text a friend. Are you getting the idea? Now I know some of you may not have this problem, props to you. What do you do with your free time then?
Anyways.
To overcome, like I have stated before, I fasted from my phone from 8am-10pm. And it was minimally amazing! :) Now you may ask, why would it be amazing? I built better relationships with the people around me. I connected with my fellow counselors and I built better bonds with the kids I worked with. (I was a counselor for a Christian youth camp over the summer.) I had less headaches. The best part, I felt more connected to what God was trying to teach me this summer! :D
Facebook consequently fell in the fast as well since I didn't have access to the internet elsewhere than my phone. I didn't miss a thing.
I have tried deleting my facebook before but then return saying things like "I get to stay connected with old friends," "Its my only way to communicate with people that I don't have their number," "I need to update organization members with stuff and advertise events," and "nahhh." Lol.
Well, the first two excuses are invalid. The third is fairly helpful. And the fourth is just me being stubborn. (Which I am fantastic at by the way.)
More than half of all Americans 12+ are now on Facebook
78 million Americans age 18+ say they used Facebook mobile about 7.3 hours on average per month
160 million Americans use Facebook (web) an average of 6.5 hours per month
Now, why does this disgust me so much? (If the stats don't make it obvious)
Technology is supposed to help us reach information faster and communicate with each other easier. Well, we reach information so fast that we are now creeps. We communicate with each other so quickly that we don't know how to communicate with each other face to face anymore.
People are so rude to each other. If we don't get a response from someone right away, we flip out. If we don't want to deal with someone anymore, we delete them on facebook- what about when you see them in passing? We are still people. I mean we get on Facebook or our phones to ignore others... yikes.
I had better relationships and a better attitude when I unconnected myself from the social network.
The point I am trying to make is that this so called Connected World is so very unconnected. Kind of an oxymoron an Unconnected Connected World.
Now, I don't think God hates technology. I just think He frowns upon how I am using it.
Mark 12:31 "The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Now I am going to speak for myself...
I can't honestly say that I am genuinely loving others by the way I use facebook and my cellphone.
Now if I have any doubts about my choice then more often than not, it is a sin.
So, the way I am using Facebook and my cell phone is a sin. Yup, disgusted feeling yet again.
A change must be made.
People don't get a better view of my heart by the way I use Facebook, usually. People don't know that I care about them by the way I use Facebook. People aren't my friend just because it is FBO.
I am going to make a new effort that when I get on Facebook... If I find myself not loving others by the way I used Facebook then I going to ground myself. If I think God would be disappointed then I get off right away and ground myself. Sounds silly, I know. But I have been being silly for years.
I want to make Him smile. But I am boring Him and I am breaking His heart. I don't want to do that. EVER!
I need to be a better friend. I need to get off facebook. I need to get rid of this disgusted belly ache. I need to love others.
How are you doing? (I'm boring and disgusting.) How is the spiritual community doing? (Weak.) How are your relationships doing? (Need major improvement.)
One last thought: If Christ came back and you were creepin' on Facebook or doing some other nonsense, meaningless activity would you be embarrassed? I would be.
God Bless!
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