The Discipline of Unplugging

Every year at this time we start to make resolutions. Usually we do so knowing full well we will never keep them. We sign up at a gym, we buy healthy food, or we attempt to spend more time with our family. In most cases we fall flat on our faces because we never really put a plan together.

This year I'm going to spend more time offline. While at first glance this seems like a difficult proposition (I am starting a blog and running a Facebook page for ministry donations), however with the right plan I believe this is something that can bring about some blessing.

Here are a few things I plan to do less of in 2014:

1. iPhone

Like most people I take my phone with me everywhere I go. It's my alarm, calendar, and newspaper. It's also the place where I primarily used Twitter and Facebook and how I communicate with friends when not face to face with them. But maybe you've noticed, as I have, that the phone interrupts real communication with family and friends. You're having a good conversation and suddenly you hear the beep indicating a new text/tweet/email has arrived. Without even thinking you pick up your phone to check and in doing so it shuts down the conversation immediately. Starting now whenever I'm spending time with family or a friend I'm shutting off my phone completely. I have voicemail  so leave me a message if it is important.

2. Computer

Similar to the item above, I spend far too much time on a computer. Part of this is necessary as that is primarily how I earn my pay, but it spills over into home time as well. And if I'm honest I know much of this time is spent just 'surfing' from site to site. My goal is to give myself a block of time of 30 minutes for just surfing. I tried it out this last week and it seemed to work out quite well.

3. Sports

In today's world you can literally consume sports in its various formats 24/7. There came a point a few years ago where everything I did was wrapped up in my favorite teams. Now a guy has to know how his Steelers/Red Sox are doing, but I began to pray at the end of 2012 for a lessening of my sports obsession. God obliged and a hockey lockout occurred (sorry NHL). This year I want more of my time to be spent pursing things of an eternal value, and while sports has a place in the Kingdom, my time will be better spent not watching every single football and baseball game that comes on TV. This may be more difficult than the first two items above combined.

4. Tech Free Days

There are times when completely unplugging is a necessity. Our brains works better when not encumbered by every whistle, tweet, and buzz of our electronic devices. Our souls are also better off as it allows us to focus exclusively on God. This year, each week, I'm going to 'fast' from technology (electronic devices to be specific). I'm going to shut off my phone, not open my laptop at night, and stay away from TV. Board games, books, prayer, Bible reading, and perhaps some outdoor activities will fill that day.

I see these less as resolutions and more as focused changes in how my life is lived. May God receive all the glory for small steps that will be taking place in 2014.