From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
There’s a lot of talk these days, in this age of endless information and social media, for the need to step away from all of our devices and take a break.
Along these lines of thinking I came across a great quote from American novelist and non-fiction writer, Anne Lamott: “Almost everything will work again, if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.”
I’m thinking there are a number of us out there that need to hear that statement today.
A few years ago, there was a young teenage girl attending the youth group at our church.
On one of these gatherings, she dropped her cell phone, and the screen shattered.
She became absolutely unglued by this accident and lamented loudly, with lots of tears, how she could not possibly do without her phone.
Her whole world seemed to crash at that point.
I have read statistics about people on vacation who simply must check their email account and respond or call in to the office to check and see how things are going while they are away.
The thought of pulling back and severing connections is just too stressful for them to carry out.
Jesus understood the need to disconnect from the busyness of daily life.
Look at what it says in Mark 6:30-31: “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
Fall is a busy time of year, and it’s only going to get busier the closer we get to Christmas.
Perhaps it might be a good idea to have a “day away” without your electronic devices and just rest, do a little recreational reading, and go for a walk.
The sky won’t fall, and most people will understand.
Getting unplugged may be just what the doctor ordered!
