Hello, Today, I'd like to talk to you about how technology quietly shapes the rhythms and routines of our everyday lives. It’s the device that wakes us up, the screen that dominates our workday, and the glow that often illuminates our faces before we sleep. I’m speaking, of course, about our relationship with technology.

We find ourselves in a unique historical moment.  Yet true silence has become a rare privilege, a resource so scarce it feels like a luxury. This digital revolution presents us with profound theological questions. It is not merely about screen time; it is about the formation of our souls.

The question we must wrestle with is: How do we live as followers of Christ in an ecosystem built on algorithms, distraction, and perpetual noise?

Technology, in itself, is not the enemy. While it may seem like just another tool, it differs from many others because it actively shapes our habits and the ways we interact with the world. It influences our habits, directs our desires, and subtly alters how we relate to one another and to God. The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:12 offer a necessary framework here. He writes, “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

That concept of mastery is critical for us. In a professional context, we often view our devices as servants of productivity. But we must honestly ask: Are we wielding these tools, or are we being slowly mastered by the compulsions they create?

This mastery often manifests in the fragmentation of our attention. We know that spiritual depth—prayer, meditation on Scripture, the ability to be fully present with a spouse or child—requires an unhurried mind. It calls for our full concentration, yet the internet is intentionally built to pull us in many directions, capturing our attention and turning it into something of value for advertisers and companies. The constant ping of emails and the allure of the news feed trigger a dopamine response that keeps us in a state of continuous partial attention.

When our minds are fragmented, our spiritual lives often become shallow. We may find it increasingly difficult to sit in silence with God because our brains have been trained to crave the next input, the next update, the next crisis. Author John Eldredge put it well when he wrote: “You can’t find more of God when all you’re able to give him is a flit and flicker of your attention.”

Beyond distraction, we face the subtle spiritual erosion caused by comparison. This doesn't just look like envy over a vacation photo; it can show up as jealousy over someone else's success, insecurity about our own lives, or dissatisfaction with what we have. 

We scroll through curated narratives of success and feel a quiet sense of inadequacy. Scripture warns us in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that those who "measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves are not wise." It is a recipe for ingratitude.

So, how do we cultivate wisdom in this environment? We need to take back control over how we use technology and make deliberate choices that align with our values. We must move from being passive consumers of content to active stewards of our attention.
This begins with what we allow into our minds. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. This is a high standard for our media consumption. It requires us to act as gatekeepers, filtering out the outrage and trivia that often clutter our mental space.

Practically, this stewardship requires intentional boundaries. It might mean establishing a rigorous "digital Sabbath"—a 24-hour period where we disconnect from the network to reconnect with the divine. It might mean keeping our bedrooms as sanctuaries for rest and intimacy, free from the blue light of our phones. It means prioritizing face-to-face interaction over digital correspondence and honoring the command in Hebrews 10:25 not to neglect meeting together.

Our goal is not escapism. It is redemption. We are called to use these powerful technologies to advance the Kingdom. We can use our connectivity to check on the lonely, access deep theological resources, and spread truth in a world drowning in misinformation. We can be the voices of grace in comment sections filled with contempt.

The digital age is our reality, and we cannot turn back the clock. But we can decide how we will inhabit this space. Will we drift along with the cultural current, or will we walk with purpose?

We now have this amazing opportunity to use our screens to see the world more clearly, not to retreat from it. To leverage these tools to build genuine bridges, to bear one another's burdens, and to amplify the timeless hope of the Gospel. We have the power to set the terms of engagement. 

If you're interested in going deeper and finding practical ways to reclaim your time and attention, I highly recommend two books.

Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge. It's filled with thoughtful insights and tangible steps you can start applying right away.

Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age by Felicia Wu Song


Thank you for joining me in this conversation. Let’s continue to wrestle with these questions together, seeking wisdom and grace for the journey ahead. Until next time, may you find moments of quiet, clarity, and connection in the midst of the noise.