But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:41-42

When did you last unplug from technology? Many of us are tethered to our cell phones from the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep. One Saturday evening, a few months ago, I remember reaching the brink of panic because I could not find my cell phone anywhere. I spent hours searching frantically for it, my mind spinning as I tried to retrace my movements throughout the day and all the time wishing I had not switched it to silent mode. Eventually, I found it. I was ecstatic but I had wasted precious time and missed divine connections and conversations because I was so laser-focused on finding that cell phone. Perhaps, you have been there and know exactly what I mean.

This season of Lent is a good time to unplug from technology and be fully present to those around us. It is a great time to unplug and connect in meaningful ways to God. It is a time to fully delight in the presence of a God who loves us immeasurably 24/7. It is a time to say, “Enough!” Martha was distracted by many things, but only one thing was needed, the time she spent with Jesus. Unplugging from technology creates more time for us to do the one needful thing. So how do we unplug when we are at the mercy of our computers? It might be an intentional five minutes away from the keyboard, to just give thanks. Thanks for the residents, your colleagues, your family etc. That five minutes may be the one needful thing.

Rev. Gail Davidson addresses our addiction to technology this way, “In our technology-savvy world, we are distracted by many things: a ringing telephone, the television and its relentless advertisements, our smartwatches and their monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate, the urge to check email and various types of social media. Unplugging for a few hours or even a few days creates more space for face-to-face encounters with people… and even with God. It frees us from the compulsive and demanding nature of technology and its claim on our souls.” (Rev. Gail Davidson-Lenten Reflection -Drawing Near to God.)

As we begin this new week, let us be intentional in untethering ourselves from technology, so that we can connect to God and others in deep and meaningful ways.