Change; deep down, none of us like it. Moreover, we all deal
with, and process it in numerous ways. Often in dealing with it, we do bizarre
and strange things.
Take me for instance. I realized that for nearly two years
now I have been reeling and rebelling against new technology, rationalizing
that because it is different than what was around back when I was in high
school, I can’t possibly understand how to use it, or even more emphatically
feel safe and happy about trying to learn how to use it. I recently remembered
that I wasn’t always this way. In fact in the years since I had finished
college I had become much more open to new concepts, ideas, and ways to use our
ever evolving technology. However, two years ago I moved out of my parent’s
house, taking on a new challenge of total independence for the first time in my
life. Because that was very subtly too overwhelming to take it on all at once,
I retreated into the safety net of not being open to new things once again,
because I can’t be certain new things are safe and profitable for me to engage
my time, talent and treasure.
Upon having God reveal this to me this past week, I have
begun to try to go back to that four year period of being open to new things,
reminding myself that in those four years, I grew a lot in my relationship not
only with Jesus, but with others in my community around me. You see, like I
said to one of my good friends as I was beginning to process this, I am 28, not
56. That means that I am at a ripe age for being able to learn how to use new
apps, online streaming, an iPhone game, and any other photo editing or computer
program that I may desire to explore. These things are good, and not to viewed
as my enemy.
However, I should still try and be careful how much time I
devote to using them. Due to our culture’s obsession with constantly being
connected on social media, and constantly entertained via online streaming
sites such as Netflix, Hulu and YouTube, I need to moderate how much of each of
these I let myself imbibe. Moderation in a technology driven society is of the
utmost importance for our spiritual souls and physical bodies. Throwing that
aside now would be a very dangerous attitude to allow myself to adopt. However,
if I cautiously begin to open myself up to new things again, I think it could
be very good for me. I will still be a weirdo, but a little less of one. I also
will likely come across less judgmental of others who use new technology in
their respective lives. God allows technological advancements to happen all the
time, and they are never bad or sinful in and of themselves, but they can
become sinful if we turn them into idols and allow too much of time to be
consumed by binge watching TV shows, or repeated marathon games of Trivia
Crack.
So first steps, well, watching a movie on Netflix, listening
to the new Mumford & Sons album with an objective view, instead of being
negatively biased immediately since they changed their sound, and downloading
new apps such as Seat Geek and Stub Hub have been my slow but steady
advancements so far. Keeping in mind God did create all things good before sin
entered the picture (Genesis 2-3) and asking my close friends to hold me
accountable so I don’t overindulge myself are two more components of this
journey that has my summer off to an exciting start! Excited to see how God
continues to shape and change me in the weeks, months and years to come!
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