by Savannah Cottrell
 
Once upon a time, the screen of my phone shattered.
It was a total accident. I was carrying far too many things out to the car before an outing with family and friends when suddenly, I heard something drop. When I looked down, I saw my phone with cracks in it that resembled a spider’s web. But in that moment of realization that I’d broken something I use on a daily basis, I made a decision … a decision to not worry about it and enjoy what the rest of the day had to offer.
Let me tell you, that was a decision well made.
I use my phone for a lot of things: reading e-books, checking email, taking pictures, listening to music, texting family and friends, and playing games, to name a few. However, there was something strangely freeing about not depending on an object while it was broken and while it was in the repair shop getting fixed. I could use that time to spend with people or do other things that were productive or just for fun.
After the shattering and subsequent repair of my phone, I started thinking about how I use technology in general, and how much I use it. I use it to work and play, and it’s amazing how much I can accomplish and what I can do with either a mouse click or a tap on a screen. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that there is an importance of balance between my time on-screen and off.
So, here are some things I’ve discovered about technology, and how it has applied to my Christian walk over the years.
1. There’s so much good that you can do with technology. The wonderful thing about technology––especially for Christians looking to evangelize and reach new audiences––is that so much encouragement can be spread from it. Blogs exist that are authored by real-life citizens who have insights on Scriptures or their Christian walks in general that can be shared with others via social media. A status on social media can also be encouraging, too, which can be a welcome sight in this day and age, as a lot of posts can be very negative. Whether you correspond through social media, or just write your stance on an issue via a single status or blog post, your voice can be heard, and others can benefit from it.
2. Technology dependence can be curbed with balancing priorities. A lot of us depend on technology for work, and a lot of us find a lot of entertainment on various websites or social media. However, knowing when to “unplug” is an important life skill in an age where so many of us are looking down at a screen instead of up and around us. You don’t have to swear off technology for good, but make sure that you’re mixing up your regime with things that don’t have a backlit screen. For example, you can write your friend or family member a physical letter or card––I do this to keep up with friends from college, and it’s so much more meaningful than a text or message. You can also dabble in a new hobby, or just slide your phone into your pocket or purse while you share a meal with someone. If you start the habit of doing this now, it will be so much easier not to fret in the event that your screen breaks or your hard drive crashes. (On that note, make sure you back up important files for work, school, or anything else you want to keep if that does happen.)
3. No matter how you use technology, make sure that it’s for His glory. This reaches back to the previous points in that there is so much you can do with technology that honors Him, so long as technology isn’t the primary focus. The key here is to keep in mind that technology is a thing.
In Matthew 24:35, Jesus told His disciples that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Also, Jesus tells us to “… not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19- 21).
We need to remember that because His Word and promises last forever, we need to focus on the permanence of His Word and promises instead of solely relying on our own devices––literally and figuratively.
So, before you post on Facebook or a blog, ask yourself if you’re serving as an example to your fellow Christians. Before you check your phone for text messages, ask yourself if what you’re about to send is encouraging to your recipient, or going to build the relationship between you and the recipient that God has blessed you with.
In a tech-filled world, we as Christians can spread His Word, all while under the guidance of the Creator who guides our path better than any GPS or map app.
 
This article originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of Think Magazine. Print or download this article here.