This year, everyone in our family gets a smart phone on their birthday. So I get mine this week—officially—but being the one who got it from the store, I have already had more than a little peek at it. Being the decent person that I am, I have not peeled the stickers off from the glass and from the back of the phone, which I’ll do when the phone formally becomes mine soon.
I’d like to use this post as a way of dedicating this new step to God. The attraction of the Internet and social media will be stronger and closer than ever before. Have things gotten more dangerous now? Yes, as much more dangerous as an automobile is to a horse carriage, and just as much faster and expedient.
This move of ours is unavoidable if we do not want to be left behind; already we have some catching up to do. My little niece Joanna is in her element when she picks up her mother’s phone; the Pied Piper of technology is leading the children on, and we’ll have to follow if we do not want to lose sight of them.
As unavoidable as I think this step is, I’d like for you to pray a double-pronged prayer for me— for safety and for effectiveness.
For safety —because this phone can distract me from the things of God, offering many good and lawful things, which may not be profitable for me. May your prayers be to me the arms of Odysseus’ crew as they sailed within hearing range of the song of the Sirens. May I hear the promptings of the Spirit instead as He guides me, and may I be given the strength to pay heed.
For effectiveness —as I use technology to engage with friends. At the other end of every text message, email, and tweet is a human being created in the image of God to whom the grand invitation has been extended. May I then be able to interact in a manner becoming of my own sure calling. May matters to do with the Lord take great prominence in the way I use my phone, the apps I download, and the time I spend reading and listening to the word of God, sermons, and music.
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought Your precepts.
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in Your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward Your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:45-48
Courage to tremble 