Technology: The New American Idol

Gabe Knapp
Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Corporation

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
—Psalm 46:10

It’s amazing! With my new cell phone, I can send and receive e-mails from anywhere, surf the web or even listen to music or watch a movie. Never before has it been possible for me to be so productive or so entertained regardless of where I am—and all thanks to a beautiful little device that fits neatly in my pocket.

Whether it’s a cell phone, PC or an iPod, high tech gadgets are playing a greater role in our lives than ever before. There’s no question that innovations in technology offer us many new conveniences and provide us with many benefits. However, I’ve recently found that sometimes my prayer life suffers as a result of all this technology.

E-mail, text messaging, and voicemail—even digital entertainment—make it all too easy for me to fill the gaps in my work day by cranking out another e-mail response or turning to my device to receive my next instruction. Whether I’m on vacation or just on the go, it’s tempting to jump on the Internet or reach for a device. When I go jogging, I grab my portable music player. On a plane, I watch a DVD movie. When I jump in the car, I automatically reach for the stereo.

The reality is that while technology offers us increased convenience, it can also consume our time and thoughts. The Bible tells us that God is a jealous God. He desires a close relationship with us and wants to spend time with us to know our deepest thoughts. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When was the last time we were able to take time out of our hectic workday to just “be still”?

Technology makes our lives much easier, but we must be careful that the time we spend with technology does not replace our daily time with God. We need to seek direction from God, not from the new e-mail in our inbox. We need to worship Jesus Christ, not the latest technology.