Unless you are the Unibomber, living in a shack in the middle of nowhere, embedded in the woods of Montana wearing tinfoil on your head, can you really, truly be off the grid?  Doesn’t “Big Brother” always know where you are?

Maybe, but I got a taste of it last week.

Gretchen and I, along with another couple, rented a sailboat and for 8 days, I turned the phone completely off. Even my away message on my email said that I will be gone and will not be checking emails. I was literally off the grid for over a week.

How was it?

I read a great book that kept me guessing at every twist and turn.

I engaged more in conversation without being tempted to check my texts.

I sat up on the top deck at night and gazed at the majesty of the stars.

First thing in the morning, I got up, went outside, and greeted the new day.

Sometimes, I just stared at the clear water, amazed at how many shades of blue God created.

How was it? Magical, spiritual, life giving, freeing. I reconnected with myself, the others with me, and with God.

Though I came back to a boatload of emails and texts, it was worth it. Much of it was junk anyway that could be deleted quickly. And the rest could wait until I got back.

It was a good reminder to me that we all need a sabbath from technology. This great gift of staying in touch can also become a leash that limits our wanderings, dampens our imagination, and minimizes our human touch.

I’m not ready to give up my cell phone. But I am reminded that there is an off button, which I will use whenever I need that time off the leash to reconnect with myself, experience the love of others, and once again be in awe of the majesty of God.

Thanks for the time away!

Pastor Scott