I have heard a number of people, mostly of the older generation, enumerate the evils of today's technology. In an of itself, our technology allows us to live in a time unprecedented by any other in the history of the world. It is amazing how much one can get done simply by using the technology of automatic washing machines, dryers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners and hosts of other time saving gadgets. Not only can we save time, but we can enjoy music and entertainment at the drop of a hat. If you lived in the 1800's and someone were to describe such things to you, you would probably feel that a world filled with such things would be like heaven! But while I enjoy technology, I will agree that there are dangers associated with it.
Recently a teenage girl was enjoying the luxury of technology and a good book at the same time as she walked to school. Unfortunately, for her, a train was coming. She was so wrapped up in her distractions that she neither saw nor heard the quickly approaching danger. The distraction cost her her life. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy. I get especially emotional when I hear of teenage accidents such as this. My heart is full for her friends, family and community members who knew her, and even those who did not. It was a terrible and sad occasion to say the least.
For me, this incident drove home the need to be aware of our surroundings. It is so important to engage in the world, to enjoy it and revel in it; to engage with others even if it is nothing more than a smile. Distractions, because of the ease of which they are available to us, are so easy to be caught up in. Sometimes a distraction can be so strong that it seems as though nothing else compares in importance. Such distractions can keep us from socializing and enjoying life.
With that said, it is important to recognize an even deeper level of distraction. It is distraction that takes place on a spiritual level. If we allow distractions of the world to invade our time constraints, we may find that we no longer had time to feed our spirits through prayer, scriptures study, Sunday meetings, and service. Our spirits need daily nourishment, much like our bodies, and if they do not get it, then they become vulnerable to spiritual diseases like pride, selfishness, complacency, vanity, criticism and hosts of others. Truly, walking around every day without spiritual nourishment is much like walking around town, crossing streets and intersections, with eyes blinded and hearing dulled to the dangers that threaten our very existence.
Satan, the enemy of goodness, seeks to spiritually threaten our lives and one of his tools for doing this is that of distractions. May we ever be vigilant, watchful and prepared to meet the temptations with the proper amount of caution and watchfulness that will keep us safe from the dangerous and life threatening snares of the devil.
While this is a sad time for the town of Bow Island, if we take what it has taught us, apply it to our lives to become better, more aware of other and increase our caring for people, then perhaps it can help us be better. As we reach out to others, and penetrate their distractions, seek to touch lives and hearts, we will have great joy permeate our lives, for we will be doing God's work. Through him there is joy that is so rich, it is beyond mortal comprehension.
For me, every train I see, and every set of tracks I cross will remind me of the need to be spiritually alert, to enjoy life and help others feel that joy.
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