Mar 5, 2010
Learning that God Has Things Under Control: Lent, Week Two
I have now passed the second week of my Lenten fast from internet use in the evening and on Sundays. I can use my computer, but cannot go online for e-mail, social networking, and general browsing. While my first week was both joyful and easy, the second week required a bit more will-power.
Part of the problem has been a nasty cold that has only lifted completely until today. It’s really tempting to sit and kill time on the internet when you don’t feel able to form a coherent thought. Have I mentioned that my wife is very, very glad that I’m feeling better and am now able to communicate?
I didn’t do as good a job with my time management this past week because I’ve felt so awful. This meant that sometimes I’d forgotten to take care of something important online during the day. When 6 PM came and I hadn’t finished up my online work, I had to stop. It was really tough to tell myself that I couldn’t check my e-mail or follow up on a few things.
Though the process was a bit unpleasant, I had to answer a rather basic question. Did I trust God with my day? Did I really need to send that e-mail, or could it wait until tomorrow, leaving the outcome with God?
Surprise, surprise, nothing terrible happened when I couldn’t send my e-mails or browse online for what I needed. In fact, roughly half of the times I check the internet there really isn’t anything of great consequence there, at least, nothing that couldn’t wait a few hours.
I think part of the drawback of the immediacy that comes with online tools is the sense of control we have. We can respond to things immediately, taking action, and keeping busy without waiting. Everything becomes important because it can be addressed now, and therefore we heighten our sense of control and coordination but at the same time fall to the tyranny of the urgent.
I’m still a rather fragmented person, but in seeking out some quiet time away from the internet I continue to cultivate a more wholesome approach to life, to write a lot more, and to read a bit more as well. Provided that I’m not laid out on the couch with a head cold, I’m generally able to chat with my wife. Not bad for week two.
