Time to Disconnect

We are hyper connected these days, often impatient when a text isn't responded to in minutes or even seconds, or an e-mail in a half hour or less. Our newsfeeds give us constant updates, if we choose to follow them, and we are constantly bombarded by information, these days that is mostly dark and even frightening at times. 

I had sworn to live more simply and not get sucked into the digital culture, trying to stay old school with a cellphone for emergency use only. Now, I rarely have time without a screen in front of me, whether my phone, laptop, desktop, work computer or tv. And with these 'conveniences' tends to come the assumption that because it is faster than previous communication options, that we can do more and more. Well, that's true to a point, but even us frail humans have our limits and can get unhealthily overloaded.

I'm currently ramping up for a youth conference and the e-mails and last minute tasks are flying. As I sit here I realize just how technologically dependent the work has become and that I'm more than ready to step away from it once the event is over. I look forward to some level of disconnecting, knowing that while my dream would be a cabin in the woods, that reality would probably not be as idyllic as I imagine. For many people, having a facebook 'holiday' is a thing, particularly in the wake of the scandal of shared personal data.

So how do you know when to disconnect and how much? It varies for each of us, and what our needs and comfort level are with technology in the first place, but any kind of retreat is helpful to those who serve in ministry (and those who don't as well). Think about:

1. How much time you actually spend in front of a screen. How is it effecting you physically, mentally and emotionally? You may be better off asking those who live with you this question as they are most impacted. Do you truly enjoy this time? At what point does it start to feel invasive? At what point is it controlling you rather than you being in charge of it?

2. How much of your work and ministry actually requires screen time. It can be difficult to determine just how much following the latest social media channel benefits your ministry and how much it just makes you 'of the world'. Is it a crutch that sucks your time and life out of you? Or is it truly a creative and effective way of spreading your net and nurturing people?

3. How often is screen time replacing lived experience. Especially in the summer, it can be so tempting to just pop in a video for the kids who come on Sundays (I've relied on it myself). But what are we gaining and what are we losing by not encouraging relationship skills, hands on learning and active minds? Yes, it's hard to plan with energy when you have no idea how many will show up, but what are the end goals?

4. How difficult a technology holiday would be for you. This tells you how reliant you are on devices and internet access. Youth and others have genuine addictions to their phones and video games. Asking them to give these up even for a short time can result in vehement protests, to say the least. What about you? Could you have your phone in another room or leave it at home? Could you survive without checking messages for several hours?

Take the temperature of your technology dependence and how much of it you can actually change. Even when required to use it at work, you can probably find creative ways to get a technology break. Summer is a perfect time to unplug and consciously plug into creation, God's still small voice, Christian community around you, and a slower pace opening the path to reflection.

As I reflected on this, I realized that I wanted to take a blog break to allow my creative juices time to recharge and renew. So, this will be my last post until September when I hope to be a little less dependent on the virtual world and more dependent on God and the real world of beauty surrounding me. Happy summer! May you also find renewal and refreshment that draw you closer to the One who wants to give you rest.