Yesterday, March 13th 2019, a major event hit this generation around the world. No, it wasn't a political protest to inaction on climate change. No, it wasn't a petition to have Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, to step down from office. It wasn't even a viral video of a cat! This major event hit us right in our life source, our first love when we wake up, our all in all. If you still don't know what I am talking about, the major event was that Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp, apps all under the Facebook umbrella, were down for nearly 8 hours, if not more. As a millennial, these apps are like our digital best friend. When we're bored, we scroll. When we like something, we double tap to show love. We waste copious amounts of hours on these apps. I know I am at fault as well. We live in a world where most want to be Instagram famous. We live our lives looking through thousands of posts of 1:1 ratio, properly filtered pictures of others "perfect moments". So when Instagram and Facebook went down, I don't think people knew what to do with themselves. We actually had to be fully present? Open our mouths to talk to others? Not being able to post every waking moment of our day? But how are people going to know what we're wearing? I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
As for me, I was not that phased about it. When I found out social media was down, I picked up a book and by the time I finished my book three hours later, the social world was back in order. But for the past few weeks, I have been incredibly distracted with the little computer that fits in my pocket we call a "smartphone". I would spend half an hour reading my Bible, then 8 hours on Netflix, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook (and in that order). As I prepared to write this , I realized I was not getting closer to Jesus by spending more time doing nothing, essentially. Paul writes to the Romans saying this:
As for me, I was not that phased about it. When I found out social media was down, I picked up a book and by the time I finished my book three hours later, the social world was back in order. But for the past few weeks, I have been incredibly distracted with the little computer that fits in my pocket we call a "smartphone". I would spend half an hour reading my Bible, then 8 hours on Netflix, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook (and in that order). As I prepared to write this , I realized I was not getting closer to Jesus by spending more time doing nothing, essentially. Paul writes to the Romans saying this:
15 I’m a mystery to myself, for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn. 16 And if my behavior is not in line with my desire, my conscience still confirms the excellence of the law. 17 And now I realize that it is no longer my true self doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin in my humanity. 18 For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but will-power is not enough to accomplish it. 19 My lofty desires to do what is good are dashed when I do the things I want to avoid. 20 So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it’s not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am.
21 Through my experience of this principle, I discover that even when I want to do good, evil is ready to sabotage me. 22 Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. 23 But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the “law” of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity.
Romans 7:15-23 (The Passion Translation)
In context, Paul was speaking on struggling with sin but may I submit this your consideration that this could also mean the things, things that are not inherently a sin like murder, that draw us away from God. My relationship with Jesus has been strained and I can feel it, physically, emotionally, mentally, and of course, spiritually. If you are like me and have been called by God to reach the nations but can't put your phone down to reach one, physical, person in front of you, then , I believe we have become somewhat of a slave to technology and the apps that are supposedly created to make social interaction easier has made us, if anything, anti-social.
Our generation has the great potential to reach and impact the world around us but this won't happen as long as our eyes are looking down - fixed to our phones, our shoes, ourselves. If you want to make a difference in your family, your circle of friends, and the world, then it is high time you start looking up. Don't get it twisted, technology is a great thing! It allows us to communicate with people around the world at any given moment. Imagine we lived in a time where this advance technology didn't exist and we had to communicate without it. Nowadays, we have such easy access, it can quickly become a distraction. Instead of our eyes and hearts being focused on Jesus, the people around us, and the opportunities God gives us, we become infatuated with out phones and spend most of our time scrolling through timelines.
Jesus faced many "potential" distractions (storms, starvation, lack of sleep, betrayal, etc.), He didn't ALLOW these distractions to draw His attention away from what called Him to do or from the people God called Him to minister to. With our eyes looking up, we will see more clearly the people God has brought into our lives who we can show the love of Jesus to. Only with our eyes looking up will we be able to bring change to the world as we recognize and respond to the people put in our path. Jesus wants to use your life to impact and influence the world around you so LOOK UP.
Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! 2 Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.
Colossians 3:1,2
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