Unplugging

Ironically, I type this while listening to music on my computer and mourning the death of my cell phone. With my internet not plugged in either, I have no communication with the outside world. This is where we need to learn to unplug. Turn off the music (which I did,) put the cell phone on silent, stop checking e-mails and texting, log off of facebook. Instead of facebook, why not instead talk to someone face to face. The author of today's devotional told a story of a time when a friend of his in an office ten steps away from the author's office sent him happy birthday wishes electronically without ever coming to share the merriment in person. God did not create us to be plugged into the Matrix; He made us to cultivate relationships with him and with each other. After all, Jesus said that the two greatest commandments were first of all to love God, and secondly to love your neighbor. How can we do that without first silencing the toxic squeal of electricity?

Reflection Questions

Q: Are you online for both work and pleasure? What do you like about being online? What don't you like about it?
A: Yes, I use the internet for school as it is required and also to connect through facebook and e-mail with friends and family. The internet is a powerful tool and it's cool that I can connect with someone without having their number or knowing if they're busy. I don't like that it is an easily accessible distraction that has the ability to distract me from what I need to be doing, i.e: homework.

Q: What sort of temptations does cyberspace hold for you? How do you address these temptations?
A: Cyberspace sucks me in and doesn't easily let go. If I start playing online games, I will never want to stop. Just checking facebook real quick can turn into surfing through profiles, pictures, and news feeds. The only thing I know to do (second to prayer) is to do what needs done before I even check what's going on in the cyber-world.