JUST DISCONNECT!

I was never meant to be omniscient. For those who don’t know that word, it’s a fancy way of saying “all knowing.” And yet, I have a device in my pocket that wants to keep me connected to all the world all the time. Do you know how crazy that is? When I was a kid, we had local news, local newspapers, and phones that were chained to the wall. We were free from the world’s burdens.

Nowadays, we’re connected all the time. Through the phones in our pockets, we are inundated with constant advertisements (products to enrich our lives? More like to enrich an executive’s wallet), constant news of disasters, of wars and rumors of wars, politics and theatrics (brought to you by someone who wants to influence you in their direction). We were never meant to be that connected, and, while such connectivity has given us opportunities we’ve never had before (I am sharpened by brothers all over the world!), we are being programmed, given to short attention spans and mentally being made vulnerable to suggestion, and at the same time given more anxiety, social and mental disorders than ever before. We were never meant to be connected to the world!

So, what ARE we supposed to be connected to; better yet WHO are we supposed to be connected to? The answer is from Jesus’ own mouth: “Abide in me.” Jesus tells us to abide in Him: to be connected to Him at all times, to receive our sustenance, not from a news or social media app, but from the Living WORD of God, Jesus Christ. He connects us to the Father, and also sends us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. He keeps us focused, not on ourselves, or even the troubles around us, but on the will of the Father. He increases our love for each other, and helps us love God and serve humanity, so that we can even do good to those who hate us! So, disconnect from the phone. Use it like a tool: to be picked up when needed. Connect to the One who died for your sins, for your reconciliation, and rose again that you might have life now and eternity with Him.

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.