Crucifying the Technological Interrupter in Me
I was standing in line at the store, talking on my cell phone, when it was my turn to complete my transaction at the till. I had a moment of awkwardness - what do I do? Keep talking? Hang up? Ask the person to hold on for a minute?
Technology - especially smart phones - have created an interesting social experience out in public. The most important person often becomes the person who is least present! Whether texting, phoning, or emailing, smart phones have become a convenient way to stay in touch with the people you care about…but often at the expense of those who are physically present. Some companies have replaced tables with glass tops so that the “under the table” texts are eliminated.
Social media and technology has had a profound influence of democratizing everything. Everyone is always equal: equal access to me, equal time, equal in their demands. But it has an incredulous way of making me feel like the world revolves around me.
And yet, there’s nothing like scheduling an appointment with someone in order to get their full attention, only to feel like they’re not fully there. The call, the text, the email ping…someone’s always grabbing their attention. And it’s grabbing it away from YOU.
Elder John knew that was a problem. He wrote to a dear church, “Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 Jn 12). He recognized the benefits of technology - he could write them, encourage them, challenge them. But he also saw it’s limits - the face to face contact would complete his joy.
And that’s the danger of technology and social media. Your relationships are only partial. There full joy isn’t there. Because nothing says, “I love you” like one’s undivided attention.
When our Lord came to earth, he left his Father’s throne above. Jesus emptied himself. He denied himself. He came to earth and was fully here as the God-man, not distracted nor deterred from his mission - setting his face toward Jerusalem like flint to be crucified for us and for our salvation. And those who follow Christ have crucified their sinful passions and desires (Gal 5:24).
Are you fully there? Or are you a technological interrupter? Ask yourself these questions:
1. If I am at the dinner table, socializing, or engaged in a conversation, do I reach for my smart phone to check what’s going on?
2. Do my friends/family members feel I fully engage them and hear their point of view?
3. Am I having to conceal my use of my phone to communicate?
4. Does my need to be in constant contact suggest that I think the world cannot survive without me?
Don’t be a technological interrupter by interrupting conversations with another one. Wherever you are, be all there. You died with Christ and were raised with him. He is the One who holds all things together. You? You might find your joy complete by being all there…wherever you are.
