Last week we mentioned that Randy Harris at ElderLink proposed 5 ways of getting a grasp on and understanding our current culture. Having such awareness will help us be more sensitive to where people are coming from. Additionally, as responsible and accountable stewards of Jesus with our time, gifts and commitments we can be more faithful to the opportunities afforded us when we share the good news of Jesus.
The first thing to consider is that technology has reshaped us. There is the i-phone, the i-pod, the i-pad, etc. It seems that everything technological serves the “i” in mine. It is all about me, mine and my world. Because such reshaping has taken place, this challenges many of us who have resisted technology in its various forms. There are three things that I want to mention briefly here: technolatry, Sabbath and connectivity.
There is a real danger of the tool/s becoming the master. Time, energy and resources are constantly being sunk into technology. But the problem is that it controls us and reshapes us, instead of being controlled by us. The tool has become the master. Depending on what the technological gadget is we are talking about, many have taken over time in learning how to use and maintain them. We almost worship our tools, and thereby are guilty of technolatry. They are not the answer to all of life!
There is the real possibility of connecting with others as never before. Discrete use and wise management of these resources can help us connect with people in meaningful ways. Often we can say and interact with people on a deeper level when technology is used. This is one of the greatest paradoxes of the post-modern world. Privacy has become public. Discretion has been replaced with disclosure. Because of this, people are revealing needs and sending out calls for help in ways unheard of in the past. Such level of connectivity presents incredible moments for ministering in the name of Jesus!
There is the real need for a weekly Sabbath. Because the foregoing is true, we need to declare a once a week Sabbath from using technology. I have found in my own life that one day away from the tools of communication enables me to stay grounded, centered and more alert when I am using such technology the other six days. This keeps everything from being about the “i” in mine!
In Christian love, Curtis
The first thing to consider is that technology has reshaped us. There is the i-phone, the i-pod, the i-pad, etc. It seems that everything technological serves the “i” in mine. It is all about me, mine and my world. Because such reshaping has taken place, this challenges many of us who have resisted technology in its various forms. There are three things that I want to mention briefly here: technolatry, Sabbath and connectivity.
There is a real danger of the tool/s becoming the master. Time, energy and resources are constantly being sunk into technology. But the problem is that it controls us and reshapes us, instead of being controlled by us. The tool has become the master. Depending on what the technological gadget is we are talking about, many have taken over time in learning how to use and maintain them. We almost worship our tools, and thereby are guilty of technolatry. They are not the answer to all of life!
There is the real possibility of connecting with others as never before. Discrete use and wise management of these resources can help us connect with people in meaningful ways. Often we can say and interact with people on a deeper level when technology is used. This is one of the greatest paradoxes of the post-modern world. Privacy has become public. Discretion has been replaced with disclosure. Because of this, people are revealing needs and sending out calls for help in ways unheard of in the past. Such level of connectivity presents incredible moments for ministering in the name of Jesus!
There is the real need for a weekly Sabbath. Because the foregoing is true, we need to declare a once a week Sabbath from using technology. I have found in my own life that one day away from the tools of communication enables me to stay grounded, centered and more alert when I am using such technology the other six days. This keeps everything from being about the “i” in mine!
In Christian love, Curtis
