Are you a drug addict?
Don't answer too quickly.
It's possible you've never smoked a joint in your life…never popped a pill the doctor didn't prescribe. But you could still be addicted. I'm not talking about heroin or cocaine or meth. I'm talking about the drug of connectivity—the need to have access to your email or Facebook page.
Recently, I was reminded of my own addiction. They did a major re-work of our email system at work on a Friday, and–BOOM–I was without remote access to email all weekend long.
You wanna know the really sick thing? I actually sat on the couch with my phone on the armrest, alternatively staring–then glaring—at it, hungry to hear the thing ding.
I found myself checking it again and again…hoping something…someone might be getting through. (Sure I could still text…but my addiction is with email, remember?).
The experience only underscored an embarrassing truth. I am addicted to connectivity. I expect to be…desire to be…absolutely MUST be interrupted by chimes and ringtones. Their lack creates a roar of silence that is uncomfortable, if not intolerable.
Now here's the disturbing question. Why am I not equally addicted to connectivity with God? Why does it not drive me crazy when I either rush or miss my morning prayer time with Him? Why am I not compelled to continually check in with Him throughout the day? Twenty-four/seven access to the King of the Universe is guaranteed. And Scripture itself suggests this kind of behavior is actually expected: “Pray without ceasing,” we are told.
So how is it I must be connected to a stream of tedious information from friends and work that is temporary at best…while the Eternal sits unattended?
More to the point: How can I initiate a healthy addiction: a sense of need to commune with the Lord of the Universe?
O, God….set my heart aright.
I long to long for you, like David did.
Like a deer panting for water.
Amen!