Tim, I struggle with this. There is no doubt about the changes in our brains that social media delivered through our phones/tablets cause. The dopamine hit is real. I am using social to try and win people back from it all the while trying to mitigate the damage to myself. There are so many people that are owned by their phones and I feel called to fight for their attention and help to bring them back to community (face to face) and nature.
Mike, sorry for the delay. I missed these last few comments. And yes, I have very close friends who are doing the same thing you are doing. And, like you, I go back and forth. I personally do not feel that pull but do commend you for it. My "argument" if you can call it that, is that some times our witness should be a bit more radical than constantly trying to use the cultural language to make a positive impact. My thought is that it's not the only way. Yes, being in the space can in some aspect "draw people" to be better with it, but so can a stance outside of it. Does that make sense. So, listen to your calling, brother. And go for it. :) I think I'm leaning more towards being that voice in the wilderness, out on the edges, calling folks to open spaces. :)
Thanks for writing this Tim. Your questions helped me put into words what I was pondering after being at the beach yesterday (I was the only one there so it felt like a one with nature experience). But it was so much more. The sun on my face, the scent of the breeze and the glittering waves on the sea was an interaction between God's creature (me) experiencing God's creation (nature). I was seeing through eyes, smelling through a nose and feeling through skin God made to experience His natural creation. I was in awe at how beautiful it was and was moved to praise God and give Him thanks. It was a holy experience and became worship. That feeling was is something I have never experienced from time spent on a device. And no device can capture and represent a real interaction with the living God.
Renuka, yes! I love this! And it's so true to my experience too. I'm so glad you had that time of reflecting and worship. It is, indeed, priceless in our age!
Great stuff. One of the best things I did last year was delete my Facebook account. I don’t use any social media anymore. Cindy and I are walking more and have done some hikes in the woods. Planning to do more. Now if I could figure out how to work less (which is sitting at a computer all day) life would be much better. I agree that the best way to experience God is in his creation. Thanks for writing this. Wish we would all take this more seriously!
Tim, I struggle with this. There is no doubt about the changes in our brains that social media delivered through our phones/tablets cause. The dopamine hit is real. I am using social to try and win people back from it all the while trying to mitigate the damage to myself. There are so many people that are owned by their phones and I feel called to fight for their attention and help to bring them back to community (face to face) and nature.
Mike, sorry for the delay. I missed these last few comments. And yes, I have very close friends who are doing the same thing you are doing. And, like you, I go back and forth. I personally do not feel that pull but do commend you for it. My "argument" if you can call it that, is that some times our witness should be a bit more radical than constantly trying to use the cultural language to make a positive impact. My thought is that it's not the only way. Yes, being in the space can in some aspect "draw people" to be better with it, but so can a stance outside of it. Does that make sense. So, listen to your calling, brother. And go for it. :) I think I'm leaning more towards being that voice in the wilderness, out on the edges, calling folks to open spaces. :)
Thanks for writing this Tim. Your questions helped me put into words what I was pondering after being at the beach yesterday (I was the only one there so it felt like a one with nature experience). But it was so much more. The sun on my face, the scent of the breeze and the glittering waves on the sea was an interaction between God's creature (me) experiencing God's creation (nature). I was seeing through eyes, smelling through a nose and feeling through skin God made to experience His natural creation. I was in awe at how beautiful it was and was moved to praise God and give Him thanks. It was a holy experience and became worship. That feeling was is something I have never experienced from time spent on a device. And no device can capture and represent a real interaction with the living God.
Renuka, yes! I love this! And it's so true to my experience too. I'm so glad you had that time of reflecting and worship. It is, indeed, priceless in our age!
Great stuff. One of the best things I did last year was delete my Facebook account. I don’t use any social media anymore. Cindy and I are walking more and have done some hikes in the woods. Planning to do more. Now if I could figure out how to work less (which is sitting at a computer all day) life would be much better. I agree that the best way to experience God is in his creation. Thanks for writing this. Wish we would all take this more seriously!
Agree, brother! The re-evaluation is where I'm at. And, of course, hopeful for the eternal as always!