Under the Influence of Technology???

It has become a common occurrence in the fine city of Winnipeg. People are living life under the influence of technology! I don't think they mean to ......it just happens. A friend calls while you are driving and since we are under the influence....we feel obligated to pick up....no we feel like we have the right to pick up our cell phones an talk even while we are driving. How bad can it be....I always talk when I'm in the car anyways....to other people and especially to the other crazy drivers on the street around me....what's the difference?

Or lol, someone returns a text that just must be answered...even if I'm walking across a street with 75 other people......45 of them coming from the other direction! Once again...we are navigating life under the influence of technology, but wait, it doesn't just happen outside our homes.....it happens inside our homes as well.

There is that text during dinner and OMGoodness, I must respond right now or the texter will think I don't care about them....our relationship is hanging by the latest and quickest text response.........actually???

I'm not going to talk about the t.v. or running with buds stuck in our ears, but don't we just want to turn it all off some days and listen to the world around us? In a spiritual sense....it's no wonder we don't hear God speak to us anymore.....our ears and thumbs and eyes are full of other types of communication that from my "old school" approach to life, is so shallow compared to the truth and wisdom of God and his methods of communication with us.

Is it not possible that we have become victim to our own devices and in doing so have crowed God out of our lives even more? As we are studying the book of Acts, I've been impressed more and more with the fact that we are to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit....not technology! I just read some words from Charles Stanley that say it so well, "If we don't need any help, why send a Helper? The promise of a Helper presupposes that we need help. The promise of a Helper was Jesus' way of tipping us off to one of the most profound truths concerning the Christian life - it's impossible! The quality of life Jesus expects from His followers is unattainable apart from outside intervention.(From The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley)

No wonder Jesus told his followers to stay in Jerusalem until the promised Holy Spirit would come to them...they couldn't live the life Jesus intended apart from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Christians are to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit every day, every moment so that they can be involved in doing the will of their Heavenly Father.....just like Jesus did.

There are many people that subject themselves to being under the influence of other things or other people......it is so important that you and I realize that as we follow Jesus Christ, it is essential to be in step with His Holy Spirit. So the next time you are tempted to pick up your cell phone or return a text while you are driving......remember that one of the worst places to be is under the influence of technology.....especially when you are driving.

Blessings as you navigate through this summer remembering to listen for God's voice in what you are doing......and his instruction, correction or encouragement.

Pastor Brian