“Black hole resorts” in exotic locales charge high rates to provide un-wired rooms. “Internet rescue camps” in South Korea and China reach out to kids addicted to the screen. “Freedom software” enables computer users to disable their internet connections for up to eight hours. The average office worker today enjoys no more than three minutes at a time at his or her desk without interruption.
Americans’ use of technology is staggering. The average American spends at least 8 1/2 hours a day in front of the screen. But that creates big problems for modern souls.
Thomas Merton said “man was made for the highest activity, which is, in fact, his rest.” French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote in the 17th century that all of humanity’s problems come from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone. If that was true in the 1600s…how much more is it true today? Christians and churches today need to find new ways to tend to the empty, damaged souls of our technology-addled generation. This will require the full attention and inspired ideas of pastors, missionaries, and followers of Christ who wish to be great neighbors. While this may be an age-old issue, the difference in degree is dramatic and potentially disastrous.