Let’s face it. Technology can be a HUGE distraction. TV, computers, the Internet, and now smart phones, can all be sources of time wasting in our already busy lives. Don’t get me wrong. We have the best intentions sometimes. We want to stay “in touch”, but at what expense? Are we disconnecting from the present to stay “in touch” with the wired world? Maybe, but I think that there are also times and places where technology can be used to glorify God and to bring Christ and the gospel to all types of audiences.
Which brings me to my point. Today I was able to use my smart phone, which can be a huge, time wasting distraction at times, to make Christ known and help our Normal West huddle out of a jam. Here is the story:
The girls who were leading this morning wanted to use a YouTube video as part of their talk. The problem is YouTube is blocked by the school. They spent hours this past week trying to download the video and get it on a computer so they could play it for the group. Eventually, one of the girls loaded it on her laptop and then brought it to school with the page still loaded so that the video would play from memory.
As she goes to hit play, something goes wrong. The video disappears! A lot of time and effort gone. What now? They try to explain the video, telling us the main message and what was said, giving it their best go. At one point they named the title and while they were talking I jumped on my phone to see if I could find the video. Sure enough, it’s the first one that comes up.
TAP, loading… then a look of surprise and relief.
“That’s IT!” they say.
For the next 10 minutes we sit and listen to a man preach to us about giving up everything, denying self, making Christ more important than anything else. All from the speaker of my smart phone.
Technology redeemed for the Glory of God.
