Information Overload

Technology can be both a blessing and a curse.  It can be a way to learn more about God, but also waste countless hours.  We live in the information age where so much knowledge is right at our fingertips.  There is always something to check on facebook, twitter, email or one’s cell phone.  So, how much is too much?  Where do we draw the line on the amount of information to which we expose ourselves?  Many of us need to use technology for school or work, but how about in our leisure time?  Do we need to stimulate our brains constantly with the latest, TV show, or text message or facebook newsfeed?  I’m not saying that we should all head for the hills, farm the land and leave the modern world behind (although that may be a tempting option) but that we must make a constant effort to ensure that technology does not dominate our every waking moment.  

So, what’s a sign that we may be too attached to technology?  The first place to look is our prayer lives.  Do we make time for daily prayer?  Now many say that they are too busy for prayer, but I bet that most of us, myself included, have often made time to check facebook, text a friend, or write a blog when we had more pressing issues at hand.  We carved out time in our schedules to do things that were important to us.  The same must be true for prayer.  If you don’t have time to pray, cut out some time spent surfing the web, even if that means skipping the rest of this article to do so.

Another part of our prayer life that we must examine is the quality of our prayer.  Are we constantly talking to God and jumping from one thing to another, or are we taking time to listen to Him?  The Lord calls us in Psalm 46:10 to “Be still and know that I am God”.  I have found that it is much harder for me to hear God when I am too connected to media.  If in prayer I am occupied about responding to that email, watching the next youtube video, answering my friend’s text, my to do list, or all the things I need God to do for me, then I cannot adequately focus on God.  In this way, I look at prayer in a very narrow way.  I say God, this is what needs to happen so that my will be done instead of, what do you want me to do so that Your will may be done.  Many times we become consumed with worldly concerns instead of being consumed by the one who is love Himself. Yes it is important to pray and intercede for other people, but I think we often forget the prime importance of silencing our hearts so that He can communicate with us.

As we prepare for the holiest part of the liturgical year, this would be the perfect time to step away from technology as we are able, so that we may reflect on Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.  I encourage you to go to church and pray more these next few days, and to spend some time enjoying God’s beauty in nature. Resist the urge to constantly text people, check facebook, tweet, etc.  Take some deep breaths, slow down a bit, and stop to thank God for the wonderful sacrifice He made for us on the cross.   Let’s allow God to fill us up in prayer during this sacred time rather than to be filled by technology.

May this holiest week of the year be a time for you to step outside of the busy world and into the Paschal Mystery to experience the great love God has for you.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://ignitumtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Bob-W.-e1319488641975.png[/author_image] [author_info]Bob Waruszewski is a 22-year-old cradle Catholic from Pittsburgh, PA. He recently graduated from St. Vincent College with a bachelor’s degree in both mathematics and economics. Currently he works for a natural gas company in the Pittsburgh area and helps organize Young Adult Ministry events on the side. In his free time he enjoys sports, hiking, reading and chess. His favorite Saint is St. Joseph.[/author_info] [/author]