Unplugged for a night!

Technology has many benefits, both personally and for the church. I can connect to people on the other side of the country (or world). I have the ability to keep up with old friends from high school or college. In fact I know more about some people I haven't seen or spoken (verbally) to in 15 years than I did when I saw them daily because of facebook! In the church I have simultaneously worshipped with brothers and sisters in India, and Africa through skype. The ability to stay connected with missionaries in various countries allows us to give emotional and spiritual support beyond just providing for them financially. Not to mention the benefits that come through the unlimited amount of resources for study and spiritual growth found on the internet.

Although there are many benefits of technology, there are many downfalls as well. One of the biggest is the disconnect it potentially causes with those we are closest to. Have you ever been in a large group of people and no one is talking to each other because everyone (including myself) is plugged in to some device? Last night I was reminded of the need to unplug every once in a while and spend time with the ones we love.

For the last week West Texas has been suffering from a severe winter storm. About an inch of ice built up on everything. 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon the power went out, and about 7 we no longer had cell service, forcing us to unplug. As the temperature in the house quickly dropped, we (un-excitedly) informed the kids we would have to snuggle up altogether in mom and dad's bed tonight to stay warm. You should have heard the reply from our daughter. High pitched and exited she screamed, "I love snuggling! I'm so excited!"

We spent the next several hours; playing with flashlights, reading 7 books (normally it's only 2!), eating a candlelit dinner, visiting with one another, and finally snuggling up on the couch to drift to sleep. To put it like our 2-year old we were "just hangin out!" As annoyed as I was at first, it turned out to be the best night we've had in a long time! We really enjoyed each other.

I was also reminded of the need to spend time with our church families. Right after the church was established in the book of Acts, we see them continually spending time together. Not only that, every time Luke mentions their togetherness he says and God was adding to their numbers (acts 2:42ff). There is a huge need for the family of God to be together, share meals together, encourage, and enjoy each other.

Though technology connects us to much of the world, it can disconnect us from the people in the same house or church building as us! I am the worst about this. I know this post alone will be used by some to hold me accountable in these matters. No matter how connected we are, through social media, to people in our families and our churches,nothing compares to physically spending (unplugged) time together!

Set aside some time to go unplugged and get together with people you love. Turn off the TV, put down your phone and snuggle with your family! In our churches, let's purposefully plan some time just to be together this year!