How many times have you been walking along and almost had a close encounter with a “head downer”? That’s what I call those who walk around, mesmerized by their smart phones, oblivious to their surroundings and reduced to uttering grunts as they order their fast food at the counter or check out at the local market.  There have been times when I have desperately resisted the temptation to yell “BOO” to an incoming head downer to see if I could get a reaction, anything that would cause them to raise their head and for at least a split second, to be aware of their own surroundings.  Knowing my luck, I would receive another kind of reaction that would result in a “clean up on aisle two” as the citizen’s body would react before his/her brain engaged.

Don’t get me wrong; I have done my share of vertical surfing but I try to keep it to a minimum. I also try to squelch the “table texting” mostly because I envision having one nostril larger than the other from my wife so carefully planting my silicone, wood grained, techno Apple up my rather ample proboscis.  So why do I hesitate to join the multitudes that engage in constant, mindless, “in the cloud” conversations where we can see everything from a selfie that shouldn’t have been to someone’s dinner, both before AND after?

I’ve looked around…and I like what I see, and hear (which is sometimes a challenge being deaf in one ear), and feel!! I enjoy carrying on a conversation where I can search the eyes of the receiver and read their facial expressions (which don’t look anything like the emoticons) and give and/or receive a spontaneous hug.  I like to see the brilliant colors of the fall leaves and breathe in the crisp fall air and know I’m still alive and experiencing life to the full.  But most importantly, I need to abandon any distraction which will cause me to miss an opportunity to be available for whatever God has in store for me to participate; I need to be still and listen…

So take heart, head downer…there is a great big world and a great big God just waiting for you to look up and experience a life worth living; not a life being lived through a virtual world of others…you never know what you might be missing…

Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:27-28