In today's society, it is nearly impossible to find someone that does not have a smartphone, iPod, laptop, or something of the like. I myself am able to write this article from the comfort of my own home thanks to my laptop and wifi, and I am a proud owner of a smartphone that I have grown quite fond of. I love modern technology and use it quite regularly for much of my education, work, and leisure time; however, there is a major issue I have faced, and I'm sure many of you reading this have--or still are--as well.

Simply (and obviously) put we, as a society, have grown far too attached and dependent on our technology and the internet. This can cause a major problem for anyone; however, for the sake of this article, I will be focusing on the issues it mainly causes for those of us who profess to be Christians.

The biggest issue that I have faced with technology (mainly my cellphone) is that for a while, I struggled with staying off of it and remained distracted by it. I couldn't spend time in prayer before God without it for a long time. I couldn't let God talk to me, and I couldn't listen because I was too concerned about what time it was, whether or not someone had messaged me, and whatever else. That's not okay. We should give God--or anyone we're spending time with for that matter--our full, undivided attention. Think about it this way: how would you feel if you were trying to tell someone you care about something important, and they paid you no attention but instead were fixated on whatever was on their computer or phone screen? That wouldn't feel very good, would it? Not only that, but they couldn't hear whatever it was you had to tell them--no matter how important it was.

We do that to God all of the time. He is constantly trying to tell us something, but we become too focused on whatever is right in front of us or are too distracted by whatever someone said on Facebook that we can't even give God the time of day to speak to us. That has to stop.

Another problem I have faced because of the attachment and dependence I had on technology is that I became extremely impatient with everything--especially God-- I wanted whatever it was right then at that moment. I got used to, and spoiled by, the fact that anything and everything I wanted to know was right there at the touch of a button or just a few clicks away. Thanks to the internet, anyone can find out anything in a matter of seconds. A person can do practically everything through the internet--order pizza, go to school, make a living, talk to someone across the world, anything. That is incredible; however, it causes us to have this "I want it now. I don't want to wait. I want to know now. I don't have time for this. I'm impatient." attitude.

Sometimes, we have to wait on God. He isn't slow by any means; instead, He is always right on time. But He isn't one to just give and do and tell at the touch of a button. He isn't our servant--He's our God. His timing is always perfect for the things He promises us, but it isn't always "right now."

"Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. [Ps. 90:4.] The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance."
II Peter 3:8-9 AMPC

Now, things like salvation and even healing can be and often times are instantaneous. The moment that we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, it happens. The moment Jesus declared someone healed, they were healed. However, the promises that God gives us--the ministries, the prosperity, the spouse, whatever it is--aren't always given the moment we ask. Sometimes God is pushing us to develop our character, so we can then handle all of the blessings He wants to give us when the time is right.

Although it can be difficult sometimes, I urge you not to grow impatient. Although we live in a fast-paced society and have grown use to everything we could ever want to know at our fingertips, there are some things that can't be brought to us through some website or app. Don't become distracted and miss what God is trying to say to you, either. Give Him your undivided attention just like you would want someone else to give you theirs.

Enjoy what God has given you and the blessings you can have just by living in a modern-day/first-world society, but remember that one of the best gifts God has ever given any of us is the ability to have a relationship with Him--because of the sacrifice His Son made. We have all been reconciled and are now able to stand before God without the guilt and shame we may have felt before.

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us--set us right with Him, make us fit for Him--we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."
Romans 5:1-2 MSG