Have you ever tried to talk to someone who is focused on their technological device of choice? Ever feel like you are disturbing them from their game or snap chat that is clearly more important than you? What has happened to our society, we are unable to have a conversation without pulling out our iphone or ipad. We are so "wanted" by everyone else that it is impossible to maintain 5 minute conversation without getting cut off by someone else who is miles away.
Well I fell into this trap my sophomore year of college. I wanted to feel wanted and desired by my friends, which of course meant that the only way I could do that was through a smart phone. I loved it! Literately every spare moment I had I would stare into my smart phone rather than trying to be friendly or meet people. This lifestyle consumed me and I was unable to make new friends because I refused to leave the security of my phone. My phone had become part of my self-identity and confidence. I couldn't live without it because I lived for it.
I titled this blog, Post Traumatic Tech Obsession, because I still suffer from my addiction to my old phone. I know this sounds weird, but I had to quit cold-turkey and walk away from my phone because it was my idol and I was unable to grow closer to God when I was living for the world. I go through days where I feel left out or "abandoned" because I don't have the latest technology or an iPhone. When all my friends are snap chatting, face timing, or checking their Facebook, I am sitting there with my dumb phone and not a Bible app but a good old-fashion paper Bible.
It took me years to figure out that living for my phone pushed me farther away from the Lord, and if anything, it blinded me to the truth and His will for my life. I walked in my own will and claimed that I was unable to discern God will, when really I didn't want to have anything to do with it. I challenge you today to reflect on these questions that helped me break away from my obsession:
1. How many times do you check your Facebook a day? versus. How many times do you check in with God a day?
2. How many text messages have you sent today? versus. How many people have you lifted up in prayer today?
3. What is the definition of an idol?
4. Who is the ruler of your life (i.e. in our busy world who engulfs the majority of your time)?
Ironic how as I am writing this blog, a friend on Facebook posted, "I miss my phone, I never thought I would become this reliant upon technology." I am so guilty of this technology obsession, I have to constantly cut it out of my life before it begins to control me and draw me away from the Lord.
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