(Editor's Note: This blog is by Parker Kathleen May, writer for Engage.)
Once in high school, the teacher took us outside to the playground for study hall. The sun was really bright, and there was no shade at all. I was sitting at a picnic table with my back to the sun trying to shade my notebook as I studied.
Suddenly, a cloud floated in front of the sun. My brain did not comprehend that, but it did realize that my notes were suddenly darker. Automatically, I tapped my notebook trying to brighten it just like I would when my phone screen became darker. It took me a few seconds to understand what I had done, but once I did, I started laughing at myself. It was a good thing I was quiet, or people would have thought I had gone crazy. I suddenly realized that I probably needed to stop being on my phone so much.
The fact is, many of us are enslaved by our phones.
Children are scarily focused on playing whatever game is popular while teenagers are busy scrolling on social media and updating their status. Even many adults seem to have their heads down, earbuds in, and bright screens in their faces. As I write this, my phone is close by waiting for me.
As a result, we begin to lose our connections to the real world and get a warped view of what reality truly is.
When we allow ourselves to get sucked into our phones, we do not connect with what goes on around us. In no amount of time, we cut ourselves off from people. And no, those Facebook friends and other anonymous people you chat with on the internet don’t count as social interaction.
Christians are called to fellowship with one another according to Hebrews 10:25. We are supposed to worship together, pray together, and help each other. We make each other better when we are together (Proverbs 27:17).
How are we supposed to do that when we barely look away from our screens?
Phones can be used to help each other. We can post inspirational quotes and Bible verses on our social media pages. When something causes us to miss church, we can watch sermons on YouTube.
But we need to remember that even though that is good, nothing can replace being with each other in person, especially when we come together in the Lord’s name. Jesus said that if we gather in His name, then He is with us (Matthew 18:20).
While phones are useful and a blessing, we need to remember to pick fellowship over phones to stay healthy biblically and socially.
