A Deep Connection
We all find technology helpful, right? I mean you are getting information from the internet now and you can find what you need faster than getting in your car and going to a store or bookstore. In addition, you get to call and text anyone from anywhere, you don’t have to learn how to read a map to get places, and you can pick up your phone to entertain yourself when your bored, anxious, or feeling awkward amongst other things. Some would even say that your phone gets to know you as it can keep records of your favorite photos or contacts. It even creates a certain feed and advertisements of all your interests to fill up your scrolling time. But let me ask you some hard questions that need honest and reflective answers: does your phone get more of your attention than the Creator of your soul? And a follow-up to that: does your phone’s algorithm know you better than your friends and family?
A lot of us want to say “no” to those questions, but would that be the truth? I mean, let’s be honest, we are more comfortable with silence when we distract ourselves. But if we sat in silence with others, without a phone, would anxiety creep up? I have heard of more people getting comfortable with AI interactions, or their online friends, than meeting up and enjoying human connection.
And yes, reading the Bible on your phone and listening to sermon clips on Instagram aren’t bad, but they can lead to getting easily distracted by notifications or comments from others.
Can you honestly say you can spend time with just you, God, and your Bible in silence in order to connect to the Creator of the Universe?
If you can, that is great, and you can just view technology as a tool. However, if you can’t, or you struggle to do so and want to be able to, then I think you will find the rest of this blog helpful!
There’s a quote I read that goes like this,
“the longer the tea bag sits in the cup, the stronger the tea. The longer you sit in God’s Word, the stronger your faith.”
You see, right now the desire for being on your phone is overriding the desire for better and stronger relationships. It is safe to say that we can all get caught up in technology one way or another. It is unhealthy to scroll mindlessly just to numb our feelings and not deal with problems. When we realize what is taking place, we can begin to control the urge of giving attention to our phones more than to the life we get to live! In John chapter 10 verse 10 Jesus states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Don’t you sometimes intend to be on your phone for one thing and then an hour later you realize you just wasted time scrolling or comparing to others? It is necessary to understand that you have an enemy, and to gain insight to the fact that his life’s mission is to keep you from God and the things that go along with being His child. Therefore, the enemy will try to steal your time, kill your confidence, and destroy your life. BUT when you turn to the Lord, you can ask for His protection from the enemy’s tactics. In addition, you can begin to seek God’s mission and plan for your life, leading you to see life differently as you realize just how blessed you are to live it! Instead of capturing every little thing for social media, you will learn the importance of being present in the moment, realizing the Maker of heaven and earth is right there with you! Then, you will begin to notice that no one else will understand you and your experiences as much as He does. Like I said above, technology can be a tool, but you have to recognize that’s all it should be. God is the only One who can truly help you deal with things and satisfy you! I once heard it said, “things without souls were never meant to satisfy things with souls.”
We are built for community and connection- not to things but to people!
Ephesians 2:18-22 explains it this way, “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father…you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” God sent His son, Jesus, to live a perfect life while He endured suffering, temptation, betrayal, discouragement and more. Even though Jesus did this, He still was put to death due to our sinful nature. He willingly took on everyone’s sin, shame, anxieties, sicknesses and pride by giving up His life to die on the cross. However, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin, death, the devil and all that was meant to keep us from God the Father! Now, we have access to Him and get to receive His Spirit, forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, purpose and so much more! Along with all of that, we are invited to be a part of His Kingdom and family! This only happens when we understand that we are able to be in relationship with the King! By entering into this relationship with God, we then can join together with His other sons and daughters and be equipped for His purposes, while growing in His image. We are a place where the Lord dwells here on earth! The Father knows each one of the members of His Kingdom and body completely. He has a specific purpose for each of His children! In addition, He basically says to us, “I want you for you, not for what others see or what you see yourself as, but for the deepest parts of you that I see- just as My Spirit knows Me to the very core (1 Corinthians 2:10), My Spirit knows you to the very core.” THAT is the God that wants to hear from each of us and use us! He is the God that we get to speak to and live life with! The Lord knows the things that you are interested in, along with your favorite stuffed animal, jewelry, or piece of clothing from when you were younger. He knows what makes you happy, sad, or angry and understands what gets you overwhelmed. He even knows your weaknesses and things that lead you into temptation, and STILL He loves you and wants to have a deeper connection with you! God knows all your faults and sees all your struggles. Yet, God also knows that Jesus and His own Spirit will be who leads you into a relationship with Him! Then, you can begin to know what His interests are and what He offers His children! For example:
Do you know what makes God happy, sad, or angry?
Do you know what God says about you and what He wants to promote when it comes to His children?
You can learn all the answers to these questions by sitting and reading the book that He wrote for you to know Him through! The more you open His Word instead of your phone, the more confident, peaceful, and stronger you will be to face what the world throws at you everyday. You won’t feel like you have to distract yourself from your feelings and problems as you begin to turn to the God who knows and loves you deeper than any thing, or anyone, else can! As you intentionally spend time connecting to the Lord, you will grow to desire the things that He loves! You begin to utilize what He provides you, which is often more of Himself such as His love, peace, strength and more! So, I hope that you start to realize how God, who has already given His only Son for you, also wants to spend time with you and give you all He has to offer! The next time you get on your phone, try not to disregard the amount of time you give to things over people. You are made for a connection way deeper than the one you feel you get when interacting with others online. Remember, God made you to be in community with those around you and, most of all, with Him!
