Connected Life

How connected are you?

Americans like to keep in touch—with their world and with each other. At least that’s one conclusion that can be drawn from a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. In it they asked 2,967 adults over the age of 18 which consumer products are necessities and which are luxuries.

When it comes to television, we still like it. Many adults now watch video content on their computers and cell phones and just 42% consider a TV set a necessity. But, while that’s down from 64% in 2006, there are still more TV sets per household than people!

Landline telephones are still considered a necessity by 62% of the population. Last year it was 68%, but now 47% say that its newer cousin, the cell phone is a must have. Fully 82% of adults use cell phones, up from 53% in 2000.

Internet usage is up as well. Some 79% of adults now use the internet and 45% see it as indispensable compared with 29% four years ago. Video conferencing and social networking are more popular than ever.

Americans sure live a connected life!

Well, hold on for just a minute. With all that connectivity, to whom do we talk, text or chat?

How many people use their cell phone, text messaging and computer to keep in touch with friends--but they nonchalantly go about their lives without ever talking to or hearing from their maker? Quite a few, I suspect.

Have you tried connecting to God? If it’s been a while, try again.

Did you ever wonder what God thinks about your plans, your life or your decisions? The Bible lets us know. It says about God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

The Bible? What could an ancient book possibly have to say to modern man?

You might be surprised! Pick one up sometime and read it. A good place to start is the New Testament Gospel of John.

It’s reported that Billy Graham liked to read every day from the Psalms and the Proverbs. He said that the Psalms teach us how to get along with God and the Proverbs teach us how to get along each other. Good advice from a good man.

Then after you’ve heard from God, you might try talking to him. It’s easier than you think.

To talk with God you don’t need a cell phone, computer or an email account. All you have to do is pray. Prayer is another way we connect with God.

Jesus encouraged people to pray and even gave us a model prayer in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. It’s in chapter 6, verses 9-13 and you may already know it. The prayer begins with “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name.”

The Bible adds, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

A connected life can be a good thing as long as you don’t forget God.

So the next time you pick up a cell phone, let it remind you to talk with God. And if you text a friend, remember to read God’s text message to you, the Bible.

Once you connect with God it won’t be long until you’re saying, “The Bible and prayer? I can’t live without them!”

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!