This Digital Age

The age in which we live is quite unique. We have instant access to information, people, and just about anything else we can imagine by just picking up our pocket-sized computers. Just a click, tap, swipe, maybe a few seconds to load, and the whole world is at your fingertips. It’s created widespread good for the entire globe by allowing us to stay connected to family who may live across the world, a call for safety when the sense of danger becomes all too real, and the ability to create a community of people you may have never had the opportunity to interact with if not for the internet. 

But with all things, there are two sides to living in this digitally entranced world. In my own life, the middle moments of the day fall prey to social media and its constant lure to draw me back in. What was meant to be a quick second on Instagram or Facebook has quickly turned into a thirty minute binge of looking at pictures and captions of people I hardly interact with in my day to day life. I get caught in the comparison game, I lose my sense of being grounded with the people who are standing right in front of me, and I begin to make the exchange of giving over my humanity for the digital.

Maybe you’re not quite like me and this isn’t as big of an issue for you. My hunch is that we’ve all been changed by the devices in our lives to some degree. Whether you have a tight leash on how much digital consumption you have in your life or there are no real restraints on your time spent with technology, you and I have been shaped by technology.

I pray that as you read these words, you would begin to see how the actions and habits of a life lived with technology has shaped who you are becoming. May these words spur you on to greater faithfulness and bring you closer to the love of God in your walk with Him.

THE VACUUM OF SOCIAL MEDIA

It’s no secret that social media has a clear and obvious goal in mind for everyone who uses their apps. Former employees of major corporations from Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest on the film The Social Dilemma disclosed that their goal of any user being on their site is for the users attention to be kept and leave them constantly yearning for more. With this kind of goal in mind, is it any surprise that the very individuals who consume these apps on a daily basis are the very same people who are falling prey to the negative side effects of social media too? Anxiety rates are higher, depression has skyrocketed, and the overall mental health of American society is at an all time low. I'm not saying that there’s a one to one correlation between the two, but there’s a definite effect being made on the people we’re becoming due to the digital in which we live.

The things our eyes and minds consume affect who we become. Put more simply, everything we do in life is shaping us into a type of person. The question is, what type of person are the actions of your life shaping you into? Is your time spent on social media forming you into a person of humility, compassion, and kindness bringing forth the kingdom of God to the people around you? Or is it forming you into an anxious presence to be around, leaving you disconnected to the people who are right in front of you? It is impossible not to be shaped by the devices in your life, but it is completely your choice on what you choose to do with them and the amount of interaction you have with them.

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Being a part of Gen Z is an interesting thing. Our ability to seamlessly make connections with people online is second to none. By sharing a meme, sending a DM, or commenting on a post, the ability to connect with the world around us is unprecedented. 

A new norm for many of us is having the ability to have great virtual experiences with people in our lives, yet when we meet them, it’s a mix of small talk and awkward silences because of the lack of being able to have a face-to-face conversation. This isn’t all of Gen Z, nor is it even most of us, but it’s slowly becoming more of a commonality between many of us.

Making digital connections isn’t inherently bad, there has been widespread good done simply by having digital connections. People have received kidney donors, bone marrow assistance, and mental health checkups all through the ability to connect with others online.

Yet when we look at the scriptures we see an inherently personal and embodied way of living and being. The Gospels proclaim loudly of Jesus living a life among the people that include deep and personal relationships with His apostles and the followers who travel from city to city to hear his teaching.

Jesus would dine and commune with the outcast of society as a means of breaking down the lie of who was deemed as acceptable to receive the grace and mercy of God. Jesus would heal lepers who, at the time, were not only seen as a health hazard, but as morally reprehensible because of their ability to infect the rest of the city if they were to even get near others. To touch a leper meant to become unclean, yet the most pure man to ever grace the earth healed a man by touching his body. 

I would take a bet that the absolute best moments of your life were when you were around other people in person sharing a beautiful moment that allowed you to see what it means to live in harmony with the goodness of God’s creation. Whether it be a word spoken over you, a moment of celebration, or reuniting with someone you hold near to your heart. 

The path to living a life of true flourishing means to be fully embodied with the world and people around you because it is the means by which God has called us to live our day to day lives.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

With all this being said, I do love social media. The beauty being shared online by countless creators is a breath of fresh air. I don’t believe that ridding ourselves of the digital world is necessarily the key, yet it may be what’s needed for some. We just need a grasp on what will allow for the greatest amount of growth for our soul. Here are a few questions/prompts that will aid you as you seek to grow in your relationship with technology and growth in and with God.

Does your digital consumption leave you feeling refreshed to go and serve others in your life? If not, why? If yes, how so?

Do you have boundaries on your digital consumption? If not, do you believe that’s allowing you to become the person God has called you to be?

Do you spend more time in the digital world than with the actual people in your day to day life? If so, is this intentional? 

Have you prayed to God on what he would have you do with the amount of digital consumption you have? If not, will you plan on making the time? If so, have you obeyed His guidance for your life?

Ask your community of people what they think of your digital consumption and allow them to speak wisdom over your life.