So it’s Christmas and I have decided to take some time out from social media for the week. Coupled with this decision I have managed to leave my Blackberry at home whilst we are visiting family for the week. Now if people know me well, they will realise that I am addicted to being connected. I am on Twitter and Facebook constantly and my Blackberry is the tool of choice to interface with these tools (although my laptop is a close second).
So why did I choose to cut my right arm off, so to speak? Well I have noticed that social media is taking over my interaction with people in real life. I’m twittering when I should be playing Duplo with my daughter. I’m checking Facebook when I should be having a conversation with my wife. There’s definitely a reason why they’re nicknamed “Crackberry” – they are addictive. Apparently Barack Obama is addicted -there are photos of his wife telling him off for using it while on the touchline watching his daughters play soccer.
A connected life is not necessarily a richer life. There are anecdotes of Washington aides checking their Blackberry’s before they have a shower in the morning. Madonna keeps hers under her pillow at night, which is apparently one of the contributing factors in her divorce. Another impact is that with so much information to choose from, we are selecting that which complements our worldview rather than being exposed to a large cross section of opinion with which to temper our outlook on the world.
For me, there’s also the realisation that I need, as I believe everyone does, to take time out from the busyness of life to focus on what is really important. My family will receive more of me, and converse more with me. I think I’ll even try and tackle a few of the many books on my tall reading pile. In Mark 2 we see that Jesus gets up early in the morning and separates himself from the hustle and bustle of life to seek His Father and listen to what he had to say. In another example of this we see Jesus after being baptised goes into the desert from an extended period of time to pray and seek God. Lastly Jesus regularly withdraws from the world to be with his group of disciples.
So lastly, I feel that we need to find the time to disconnect from the world and seek His purpose for what we are trying to achieve. The connections are just tools for us to use to further His will. If they start to take over, and you feel naked when they’re not there, then if you’re a follower of Christ, I think it’s time that you cut the cord. Man should only be dependant on Jesus. Anything else is just not gonna be the same.
So my challenge to anyone, not just Christians, is to go cold turkey and take time out from your cell phone and social networking. This is my last blog for a week. See you on the other side!
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