Sitting across my dinner table is a high-schooler who started to stay with us about a week ago. He is from a remote country. I thought this was a surprise gift as we are done for child-caring. He is quiet and courteous and is likeable. However, there is one nuisance I discovered lately – he “can’t let go” of his cell phone! Even when he is eating, he would constantly check his phone to see if there is any message popping up. This is kind of annoying because we can’t enjoy our dinner and conversation at the same time. I call this a “can’t let go” syndrome.
This “can’t let go” syndrome has become very common across today’s younger generation – they “love” their cell phones so much that they can’t let their phones go, even my kids have the same behavior too! Incidentally, I observed a similitude at our church’s dining hall the other day. There was a table with a bunch of teenagers sat together face-to-face eating lunch. Normally, this is an energetic group full of chatting and laughter. But this time is different. They were all quiet and no one is talking. And the reason is….. Everyone is head-down focusing on their own cell phones. What a scene!
To be fair though, this “can’t let go” syndrome is not unique to younger generation only. It is quite common across adult population too. In fact, it would not be difficult for you to see it if you survey any public place such as shopping malls or bookstores, etc. Apparently, modern technology has taken captives of modern society in an unparalleled way.
A connotation of “can’t let go” syndrome is it captivates one’s mind and leads him / her to obsessive behaviors. It may become dangerous if the “object of love” is questionable, for example, cell phone in this case. On the other hand, there is a “positive” side to the syndrome too. It is its persistence in doing without giving up. Therefore, the key question here is: what is the “object of love” for this “can’t let go” syndrome? If it is “God”, then we can’t let go of Him and we will be able to build a closer relationship with Him.
A question raised by Thomas Manton, once a lecturer at Westminster Abbey, still holds relevance for us today. He asked: “Who is the author of Scripture? God. . . . What is the end of Scripture? God. Why was the Scripture written, but that we might everlastingly enjoy the blessed God?” Apparently, God wants us to know Him and to enjoy Him. The way to reach this goal is, as Manton indicated, to read His words and can’t let it go. The author of Psalm #1 told us that blessed is the one who meditates on His law day and night 唯喜愛耶和華的律法，晝夜思想，這人便為有福 (Psalm 1:2). So, we have to learn not to let God go from our life.
Someone has said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. But perhaps on some days, like me, you just don’t feel like opening it and your heart doesn’t resonate with the words of the psalmist. But we need to be persistent not giving up. Only through the “can’t let go” mindset then we can persevere through our low points. I sincerely hope that in the beginning of New Year, we can resolve to meditate on His words day and night!
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Disclaimer: The sharing is pure from my personal view; therefore, please don’t take it to be absolute. Thanks.