I love so many of today’s modern conveniences.
Cruise control on vehicles is a great way to rest while driving.
Cameras on a phone that fits in my pocket are fabulous. There were so many times in my life I wish I had a camera so I could capture a moment but couldn’t. Now I can and I love it. I have too many shots of sunrises and sets on my phone now.
Air conditioning is a life saver, especially now that I live in Texas.
But, I miss the old days in many ways.
When did life become so hectic that we need to be in touch with people all the time?
Why can’t I wait until early evening to learn about what occurred that day?
How do I know I can trust what I am told about what actually happened without it being slanted too far one way or the other?
Today’s phones are incredible. Last week I was texting with a Facebook friend in Uganda when another such friend got in touch with me the same way.
Next thing I knew I was having a video call from someone in Pakistan. My dispatcher called to see if I’d accept a run the next day. All on a device that I put in my pocket.
Well, this week I’m taking a fast from the chaos. Mostly because it’s demanded of me…let me explain.
When we go into the prison on Thursday through Sunday we can’t take our phones in there, just a picture ID and car key.
That means I’m being forced to go on an electronic fast, or whatever you want to call it, for most of the day.
I’ve decided I’m not even going to turn my phone on when I get back to my motel room each evening.
I’m going to dedicate that time to recovering from whatever occurred that day and praying for whatever is coming the next day.
This is too important a mission for distractions of any sort.
It’s called “Going Dark.” The phrase originated during the Apollo moon exploration era. When the men in the tiny module that orbited the moon had to go behind the moon they lost all radio contact with mission control.
It happened a second time when they came back into the earth’s atmosphere on the return trip. They had to hit the outer limits of the atmosphere at a specific angle. Too shallow and they’d bounce off back into outer space. Too sharp and they’d burn up because they’d travel too fast once gravity took over.
At a critical juncture during that procedure they’d again lose radio contact. Everyone held their breath until the silence was broken by the astronauts.
I haven’t gone dark since I started carrying a phone in my pocket.
I’m looking forward to the experience.
I’ve done mini times of going dark when I don’t carry my phone with me when I run. This will be for over three days.
I expect about 15,000 unopened emails waiting for me when I go back to “normal.” I’ll let y’all know how close I come to that number when I resurface. Yeah, I’m on too many email lists. I need to cut back.
Life is too chaotic when it takes something like going into a prison to shake up the status quo like this.
Hopefully this will help me simplify my life soon.
I’ve known for too long that I can’t keep living like this.
Something has to change.
I know I can’t go back to only having a phone on the wall anymore.
I’d love to get away from truck driving for my main source of income since it’s such a time drain.
I hope my time of waiting to be used by God is coming to an end.
If it is there will be more changes that will need to be made.
Pray I make the best decisions on what to do and not do in the future to be the most effective tool I can be for God’s glory in building His kingdom.
I’ll see you later. Wade
