August 11, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, August 11.
How are you reading this? On what kind of electronic device? A desktop computer, laptop, tablet? I’m going to guess that most of you are reading these words on your smartphone. 90% of Americans have one now. It’s a communication revolution. We are connected to the world 24/7.
But has your smartphone truly made you more connected? The average 14-year-old is on their phone about 9 hours a day. Have you tried connecting with a 14-year-old lately? It’s a challenge! Everywhere we go we see people looking at their phones - walking down the street, at the grocery store, at the ball game, at family gatherings. And yes, even at church - and they’re not always on Bible.com!
In the midst of all the information sharing, are we missing some of what is truly meaningful in life? In spite of all this connecting, why are many people feeling increasingly disconnected and lonely? These are important questions for each of us to consider - parents, children, Christians.
The Apostle Paul speaks these words to us today in Ephesians 5:15-16. “Be very careful how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil”. The King James Version, instead of “make the most of every opportunity “ says “redeem the time”. I like that phrase.
So let’s be smart. Let’s put our smartphones down once in a while and have more face-to-face encounters, or at least voice-to-voice ones. Connect to the world in old fashioned ways. Write a letter. Read a book. Smell the roses. Be wise. Redeem the time.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
