Unpluggingনমুনা

In today's digital world, we are able to connect virtually with friends and family anywhere in the world, keep up with the latest news both locally and globally, enjoy endless amounts of sports and entertainment, and so much more, all in the palm of our hand. But like any good thing, it is essential to set clear boundaries making sure that we steward the gift of technology that God has given us well.

Gerald May once wrote, "Spaciousness is always a beginning, a possibility, a potential, a capacity for birth." Creating spaciousness throughout our day is an excellent first step towards stewarding the gift of technology. However, this movement towards spaciousness requires intentionality on our part. Why? Because the technology we allow into our lives has a way of expanding until it takes up all of the available space in our day.

Because of technology's natural flow towards expansion, we need to create a regular rhythm of unplugging from the technology in our lives - our phones, tablets, TVs, computers, and smartwatches. This rhythm of unplugging creates the necessary space for uninterrupted time with God.

Deuteronomy 8:10-11 says, "You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you. Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today." Looking closer at the context of these verses, God is warning His people not to let the blessings they are about to experience as they enter into the land that He promised them cause them to "forget the Lord your God." In the same way, if we fail to set clear boundaries with the technology in our lives it can become very easy for us to "forget the Lord your God."

But what does unplugging from technology to make space for God look like day-to-day?

One idea might be to create a tech-free zone as you practice solitude and silence in the presence of God. Why? Because it is just too easy to be right in the middle of praying or reading your digital Bible only to get distracted by messages from friends, the meetings and tasks on your plate for the day, and unexpected notifications from social media and other entertainment.