Connections

Do any of you suffer from digital deprivation if you are away from your computer or smartphone for more than a few minutes? Do you feel the need to be continually connected to the Internet and social media? If so, you may be one of those people who scientists say get a shot of dopamine to the brain with the digital stimulation of e-mail and Internet surfing. You can actually get to the point where you need this stimulation. It's like an addiction.

Now, don't worry. I am not going to advocate completely unplugging from our wired world, although I admit I've had the temptation sometimes. But when I ran across a recent New York Times article that profiled a guy who cannot bear to be unplugged, it got me thinking about my habits.

This Internet entrepreneur goes to sleep at night with his iPhone or iPad on his chest. When he wakes in the morning, it is the first thing he reaches for. When he takes the subway into the city, he knows exactly how long he will be off-line—221 seconds—as the train goes through a tunnel.

Scientists who study the impact of multitasking and Web surfing on the human brain say such activity is rewiring our brains. Multitasking may increase productivity, but it can lead to a distinct lack of focus and fractured thinking. Beyond this, the heavy use of technology can have a significant impact on relations within families, as people neglect relationships with their mates and their children.

But the most important relationship that can suffer is the one with our Creator. Too much digital life can sever the connection to a spiritual life. If we disconnect spiritually, we are in deep trouble.

I was recently reading in the book of Amos, "The lord called me away from my flock and told me, 'Go and prophesy to my people in Israel'" (Amos 7:15, New Living Translation).

I wondered, How did God call and speak to Amos, or to any prophet for that matter? I can understand visions, which many prophets had. But when they say "the Lord spoke" or something similar, what exactly was the method?

Amos took care of sheep for a living. He spent time out in the fields. He slept in the open, under the stars. His spent a lot of time alone, and he probably had limited human contact. He had little to distract him so he could actually "hear" God. You and I are not called to deliver prophetic utterances, but we do desire to obey and respond to God's instruction.

Are you able to filter out the clutter of modern life and focus enough to hear the "still small voice" of God amid the loud thunder of the modern world?

Elijah fled into a cave during a personal crisis and learned a lesson about "hearing" God. God was not in the noise and clamor of wind, earthquake and fire. God was loud and clear in a "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

Do you want to "hear" God? Do you want to be led by His Spirit? We can begin by creating conditions that allow us to hear. For a lot of us that may mean removing the clutter and distractions of our modern world. Or at the very least, managing them better so we do not lose that all-important connection with our spiritual Father.

Hearing and being led by the voice of God requires dedicated quiet time. We don't have to be prophets to respond to the calling of God and to do deeds of righteousness. All we have to be are sincere Christians yielding ourselves to God's will. Let us determine to use our modern digital world wisely, remembering our priorities, so we can hear and obey God.