Real Torture - No Cell Phones!

Imagine for a minute how much actual time you spend each day ignoring a friend, parent, grandparent or teacher because your energy is focused on your smart phone? I know that most of us chuckle at restaurants that have a NO CELL PHONE policy. The sad reality is that this isn’t only a kid or teen crisis but just as much a parental demise. How is it possible to see a family out for a great meal sitting with all of their faces literally glued to their phones? 

Last night I did something rather torturous for our life group….. I had one of our interns actually confiscate all cell phones and place them in a backpack. It took some effort to get the last few to comply. I had to argue with one teen to cough up his earbuds. Amazing how we aren’t capable to not fidget or have something in our hands. (Reminds me of someone who has recently stopped smoking that has to have something in their hands.) 

What shouldn’t be surprising is that our evening of wild games in a large carpeted room was a blast, yes, without these distractions. So, what has to happen to put life in perspective where we purposely choose to engage with our besties or larger family members? Isn’t it bizarre that we would text someone to communicate that is literally a few feet away instead of just talking to them? 

I confess to my screen time that seems like way too much, yet, most of it is texting group reminders about activities. Decision time today….. are you going to keep your iPhone in your pocket when you go out to lunch or rudely ignore a friend or your boss?

Imagine how many lives would be saved if we actually put our iPhones away when we drive and wait till we arrive at our destination instead of being deadly distracted today?