In the 21st century we are more connected than we have ever been. Technology is simply amazing. During a recent sermon I asked how many people remembered party lines (a good deal of the congregation did). Then I asked how many people have a smart phone, and virtually every ones hand went up. We have come a long way in a very short amount of time. We all know that technology is billed as something that is supposed to make our lives easier and better. Now I will admit, I am a very well “connected” person technologically. Personally, I have a laptop, cell phone, tablet, Facebook, and Twitter. I made the remark a short time ago, there is no where I can go that people cannot get me, and that I cannot respond back to them. But I have to ask, is this necessarily a good thing? Well the answer to that is yes and no.
Technology is great because through cell phones we don’t need to fear a vehicle breakdown, or kids getting left at school, or other things that used to be a huge inconvenience. We can call and check on people and make sure they are ok. We can get directions in case we are lost on our cell phones, find other places we may want to go that we didn’t know were close by. Facebook allows us to reconnect with people from our past. Technology has also been hugely beneficial to the church and its mission. The Westlake Baptist blog goes around the world and people that we as a church would never meet this side of heaven are able to be engaged with what we are doing as a church. We can use our smart phones or tablets to share the Gospel (have done it recently and it is sweet). There is no doubt that technology has been beneficial to individuals, churches, and businesses. But is there a dark side to it?
As I have already answered for myself, I believe there is a dark side to technology. While in some ways it has helped build community, it is also done a lot to destroy community and communication. People don’t regularly sit down and talk to one another as often as they used to. Here is a sad confession, I have actually Facebook chatted with my wife while I was in my home office and she was in the kitchen (don’t judge, you have done it to). Replacing face-to-face conversations are instant message chats, Skype, Facetime, text messages, and e-mails. Again, I will not deny that these things in their appropriate places are a tremendous benefit. However, slowly they are becoming more the norm than the exception. Studies are showing that although we are more technologically connected as a world than ever before, people are lonelier now than at any other time in human history. That is because we were designed for meaningful relationships that technology simply can’t give us. In some ways, technology has become one of the largest idols in America today. The ramifications of our technology age are staggering. Many school aged children are unable to appropriately spell, the art of writing a well-thought out research paper are harder for the current generation, the art of meaningful debate is diminished. The truth of the matter is, for all technology has done to help us, it is also hurting us. Even human relations has taken a hit due to technology. It used to be if you had a problem with someone, you would have a discussion face-to-face with them and work things out. Now, you go and put a passive-aggressive rant on Facebook, and get into a war of words without properly resolving the issue. Because we are created for meaningful relationships, and people are lonely, it leads them to put their whole life story on Facebook for all the world to see. Frankly, there are things about people that I simply don’t need to know, as there is information about me that you don’t need to know. But people are looking for love, acceptance, and human interaction and so they post it. We are truly seeing people live the phrase “there is no such thing as bad press” on Facebook and other social media sites. So now that I sound like a technology hating gremlin, let’s ask the question, so what is the answer?
First, we need to realize that we were created for a relationship first and foremost with our Creator, God. I saw a church sign on time (albeit very cheesy) that said, “prayer-the original wireless connection.” Genesis 1 tells us that we are created in the image of God. He has the blue print to who we are, who we should become. And so we need to start with that relationship first. If you don’t have that relationship, I hope you will reach out to me so that I can tell you how to begin that incredible relationship. Secondly, we need to take back control of technological lives. We should control technology, but in many cases it is controlling us. As a family, you should come up with a contract detailing cell phone, tv, video game, tablet, etc. use in the house. One thing that we do in our home is that we don’t have our cell phones out or answer them during dinner together. There are countless numbers of things you can do. The key is to talk to one another. Diana always asks the kids, “what was the best part of your day” to our children. It is fun listening to their answers. Guys, the key to intimacy with your wife, is tuning your technology out, and spending time with your wife. The bottom line is, set limits on your use of technology. Finally, value human relationships. Don’t settle a dispute or disagreement publicly (see a previous post entitled-Don’t Press Send or Post). If the problem is big enough to bother you, then be big enough to go to the person and work it out. I can’t tell you how many times someone has sent an e-mail to someone else, and it creates a problem or hurt feelings. Body language and tone are lost in social media, e-mail, and text messages. Always assume that if something could be taken offensively or hurtfully, it probably will and so ere on the side of caution and go directly to the person. Only relationships with God and people can give you what you were created for. A piece of technology can never love you the way God does. So yes, use technology and enjoy it, but limit it. Believe it or not, by doing this your life will become a little less stressful (you won’t have to defend what you said in a text or posted on Facebook as often), and less stress is something we can all enjoy!
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him