How the Mobile Digital Lifestyle Can Promote Fellowship
One of the concerns that I tend to hear about using PDAs and being online is that it puts people in unsociable compartments. And for the most part, this is true of nearly most technology that is deemed "personal." We have our walkmans; they keep our music that we want to hear on our ears only. We have our PDAs; personal digital assistants for my calendar, and maybe my business one as well to manage. And many more examples, I am sure that you can think of. The key point being that if we allow the world's design of these personal technologies stand, then we really are not going to fellowship more because we use them.
A commonly quoted Scripture to make (force IMO) people go to church says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as yes see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)." While I will never agree that this particular Scripture says to "go to chuch," it does expressly say to let none say that you should not gather together for the sake of the faith in which we share a common bond. It is in my opinon that our personal technology then, should not just be technology that helps up to be more personally productive, but also more personable so that we are more apt to fellowhsip with others, sharining the Good News and our news of how we walk this faith walk.
Mobile devices are therefore a tool. If you cannot fellowship because you are always busy, your mobile device should be alerting you to that fact with every email and alarm that goes off. If you are not taking a Sabbath (rest) day, your PDA will be an indicator of that as well. Your PDA can serve as a checkbook, serving to show you whether you are being a good steward over what God has given you. If you have, it would show that you have room to be a blessing to another who may be in need. Your PDA can be a point of contact with someone serving either in your local assembly or serving in a not so local function. But, as in all things, the mobile device is not the focus, people are.
In watching Bruce Almighty (starring Jim Carrey) last night, there was one really amazing point brought out by the movie. We do not have to wait for God to make a miracle for us to change the world, we can be the miracle as we already are empowered by Him to be one. Whether you use a mobile device or not, getting involved in the life of another should be a focus of your walk. A mobile device would help you connect in some areas. Let's not let our technology take us away from people, but draw us closer in servant relationships "considering one another to provoke [them] unto love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24)."
A commonly quoted Scripture to make (force IMO) people go to church says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as yes see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)." While I will never agree that this particular Scripture says to "go to chuch," it does expressly say to let none say that you should not gather together for the sake of the faith in which we share a common bond. It is in my opinon that our personal technology then, should not just be technology that helps up to be more personally productive, but also more personable so that we are more apt to fellowhsip with others, sharining the Good News and our news of how we walk this faith walk.
Mobile devices are therefore a tool. If you cannot fellowship because you are always busy, your mobile device should be alerting you to that fact with every email and alarm that goes off. If you are not taking a Sabbath (rest) day, your PDA will be an indicator of that as well. Your PDA can serve as a checkbook, serving to show you whether you are being a good steward over what God has given you. If you have, it would show that you have room to be a blessing to another who may be in need. Your PDA can be a point of contact with someone serving either in your local assembly or serving in a not so local function. But, as in all things, the mobile device is not the focus, people are.
In watching Bruce Almighty (starring Jim Carrey) last night, there was one really amazing point brought out by the movie. We do not have to wait for God to make a miracle for us to change the world, we can be the miracle as we already are empowered by Him to be one. Whether you use a mobile device or not, getting involved in the life of another should be a focus of your walk. A mobile device would help you connect in some areas. Let's not let our technology take us away from people, but draw us closer in servant relationships "considering one another to provoke [them] unto love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24)."
posted by Antoine @ 3/05/2006 09:19:00 AM
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