THE NEED

As a GenX-er, I’ve seen our world transformed in ways I never could have imagined as a boy. These changes have brought amazing gifts. For example, I entered the world of self employment in the late 1990s, right as the Internet was emerging. It has allowed me to provide for my family by raising two children from babies to adulthood, all while working from home. That’s something which was unheard of when my dad built his career in the same industry a generation prior.

But, of course, the changes have also brought challenges.

Never in the history of humanity have our souls been more unsettled by all the noise. The same phones that allow us to video chat with loved ones on the other side of the world are robbing us of our peace, our mental health and our ability to hear God’s voice — one notification at a time.

To be clear, I love technology. I’ve spent three decades working as a creative consultant in the marketing and branding industry. The bulk of my clients have been large tech companies (Microsoft, Amazon, Google) and I’ve seen firsthand what a double-edged sword social media, constant connectivity and corporate culture are as they challenge the Imago Dei within each of us.

Therein lies the focus of my Spiritual Direction practice. I don’t believe in getting rid of our iPhones and iPads forever. But I do believe in getting rid of them for an hour. Or a day. Or, occasionally, for a week. I also don’t think we should quit our corporate or ministry jobs to retreat from society to live in a remote hermitage like the ancient Desert Fathers and Mothers. But I do think many of their timeless truths from 1700 years ago have never been more relevant.

Because when we’re finally able to quiet the word, we’re able to find peace, fill our souls and hear the voice of our heavenly father who loves us so very deeply.