A Few Weeks Without my Phone

The last time I can remember not having a phone glued to my side, I was 11 years old (10 years ago). Many parts of my life have become completely dependent on my cell phone— paying bills, checking my bank account, communicating with friends and family, and even things with simple solutions like checking the time, shining a light, and doing math. Admittedly, I've become dependent on my phone. 

Before orientation, I would spend hours on my phone scrolling, watching TV, and going down rabbit holes. If I didn't have anything of importance to fill my time with, that time would be filled with Instagram, Facebook, or a streaming platform. Even though the Nehemiah Teams leadership had advised us to spend less time on devices, it seems as though I spent more time "devoted" to them. 

I knew orientation would be a shift, but I didn't expect the shift to last this long. I expected to get my devices back and to "slow down" when I deemed appropriate. Sure, I could give up my social media most of the week or only watch a couple of episodes a night instead of multiple throughout the whole day. That's still a sacrifice, right? Besides, I'm on a media team, I'm supposed to "stay up to date."

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (14:33) In verse 27, He says, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." The verses leading to this point are the Parable of the Wedding Feast and the Parable of the Great Banquet. A parable calling for humility over honor and a parable illustrating the radical cost of discipleship. These serve as reminders for me.

How have I not been meek?
How am I not depending on God?
What am I choosing over Christ? 
How am I unready?

Though I've been invited to the Banquet, am I prepared? Or have I left something here on earth unfinished? Have I made a golden calf?

Currently, my phone is traveling around the Asia Pacific Rim after accidentally being sent with a different team. It'll be hand-delivered to my supervisors this week and then it will make it's way to me.

Until then, I will continue to rely on my teammates for help. And when it gets here, I'll help them, but they'll continue to help me to "hang up and hang out." 

Our phones are a tool, but they are not to be a hindrance to the ministry to which we were called. 

Pray for the ministry that phones and social media allow, but also pray that we would not allow it to become the lord of our lives. 
Pray that only Jesus would sit on the thrones of our hearts, that our lives would be fully dependent on Him. 

-Coralynn
Creative Media Intern, Thailand