Are we raising a generation of young people who are incapable of understanding the deep bonds of love and the necessity of personal relationships with others and with God?
I believe we are.
Christmas morning my eleven-year-old grandson texted me to say he had received a brand new phone for Christmas.
“Great,” I texted back. “Now you can call me more often.”
He quickly returned my text. “No, Mimi. Now I can text you faster.”
I sighed and typed this response. “Focus on calling, sweetheart. Mimi loves to hear the sound of your voice.”
This grandson came for a visit between Christmas and New Years and for some unknown reason, in the middle of the week, his new super phone screen went black. He could receive calls but was unable to text. The boy had a momentary melt-down. His communication to the outside world—ceased! But as the week progressed we had time to talk. He had a wonderful time and the world did not end—even though he couldn’t text.
Texting, emailing and all the other time-saving technological conveniences of this age are no substitute for face-to-face, one-on-one, verbal communications with family, friends, and especially with God.
“Relationships.” Do kids even have a clue what a relationship is?
My grandkids may have 200 “friends” with whom they text and email on Facebook, Twitter or whatever. They believe these are relationships. But, they are mere acquaintances—if that. Three and four word texts, via electronic device, cannot weave lasting emotional bonds between people.
And talk about “text,” what about the Bible?
Are today’s young people even able to read passages longer than a three line text or comprehend the eternal consequences of ignoring or rebelling against The Lord God Almighty who is the same yesterday, today, and forever? They can text and operate all this plethora of high tech machinery, know the lyrics of every song on their Ipod, but have trouble believing or caring much less connecting the dots from creation, to the cross, and into eternity. And forget about “hiding God’s Word” in their hearts (Psalm 119:11 NKJ). They will tell you they don’t have the time nor inclination to do so.
Throughout scripture God tells of His people crying out to Him, His hearing and answering their prayers. King David says, “I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2 NAS).
God created me in His image and for His pleasure. I was made to have an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father, and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Without that kinship there is an empty chasm in my heart and soul. But, there can’t be a relationship unless there is time spent together, unless there is truth and respect, and unless intimacy exists between the parties, whether it’s between spouses, friends and family or especially God.
I love to hear my children and grandchildren’s voices. Have you considered that God loves to hear your voice too? Not just in a three or four word text, muttered in a time of tragedy or despair or when you’re about to fall asleep. But from the depth of your soul and the need of your heart, on your knees—quiet and still, before the only One who hears and answers your prayers.
Next: Deuteronomy 6:6-7
MOVING THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES 
Love it especially since I have two teens living in my house who are NEVER off the social media!
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Thanks, Lori. You know I focused on kiddos this time. But yesterday, sitting in a restaurant having lunch with a friend, I looked around and at least 50% of the people either had a phone to their ear, were texting or pounding the keys of their laptop while their lunch partner sat quietly eating or looking bored.
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Too often in our microwave society I fear we are texting God, then going about our way. We only give Him a dashing thought, when He longs to hear the sound of our prayer voice just as you do your grandson’s. Then we wonder why we do not hear His more often.
I hate it when I see someone in their own electronic world oblivious to the people within a breath’s distance of them,
but I often wonder, am I guilty of being that way with my LORD?
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Good point Julie. And I know I’m guilty too. But that goes into next week’s post. These kids learned from someone ~ sometime. Wonder who? And how?
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Melita, good to see your face. How’s the country cowgirl? Cold I bet.
DiAne
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Yes, it’s not just kids! It’s me, too! That’s why I so LOVE that last part about my Father loving to hear my VOICE. : )
Thanks for a thought-provoking read. And for putting things in terms I can use to “enlighten” my teenage bunch!
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Kathleen, thank you and the rest of the Literati! You all are gifts from God to me. Thank you dear friend and critique partner.
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Very true, Diane. I enjoyed this post.
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Texting God really hit home — especially since you touched on my favorite Bible verse. I really like the way Psalms 116:1-2 reads in the Living Bible. It says “I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I breathe”. Either way you read it, you know that God is waiting to hear from us. I just like the idea that he is bending down to hear my words to him, that He is that anxious that we should talk to Him. What a loving God we have. As adults, I think it is our job to teach our children, grandchildren and even friends and spouses that the phone is not the most urgent thing in our lives. We do not use the phone, answer the phone, or talk on the phone during meals. When we are deep in conversation of an important nature, we do not allow the phone to be the boss of us by interrupting something important. Technology is wonderful, but how to use it is a choice. Tonya
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Wow, Tonya! Another great point “Technology is wonderful, but how to use it is a choice.” We are like hampsters on a hav-a-trail, running faster to see how much more we can cram into a day. In the process, we have lost the meaning and the joy of many, many things. God tells us it is vain to get up early and stay up late to work, work, work because He provides for His beloved even while they are sleeping.
DiAne
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Amen to this post. I have a twenty two year old who is so attached to her phone she goes into a panic if it isn’t in her sight. If she only knew how much precious time is lost by her texting or just sitting with her phone in her hand scrolling up and down reading other people gossip. Sometimes I ask, “Is it really that serious”? Of course, you already know what the answer is. God doesn’t want our minds to be clogged with junk, he wants it to be free and clear so when he speak to us we can hear what he is saying. Diane, I love this post.
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Audrey the surveys show that our young folks are in trouble relationally with God. 15% say they believe in God, yet 41% of those say they aren’t sure the Bible is relevant today and 6% of them say they don’t believe God was involved in writing the Bible. And these are the church kids. It really is that serious. Next week I will be blogging about how we arrived at this place and the only way out. Thank you for your comments.
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