It seems to be all the buzz in the online community to post a blog every day, update your status at least 5 times a day, and have your phone next to you constantly just in case you get a text. I think these are great goals especially for those that are in the people business. Church, business, civic, and government leaders would be remiss to not use this technology to get their vision, thoughts and ideas across to those that are listening. Consistency in communication is a key, people like it when you are dependable.

The problem I have personally is when I am on all the time (as in online and in front of people) I never get time to be off. We all have a rechargeable battery that needs to be set back on the base and sit there. If I don’t turn off I just become a dim light. I got sucked into the notion that a dim light is still better than no light. I am beginning to believe this is a fallacy. Jesus would constantly get away (turn off) from the crowds to recharge and refresh. He would take time with the father to get a clear vision of what He was to do when he got back to the group. When he got back…wow was He bright. He turned off to be on.

I like to read others blogs and follow several people’s status. I am learning a lot and enjoying the interaction I am having with those that I would otherwise never have. But at some point in the midst of all the noise you hear nothing, because you have been on so long. Especially for those that are in constant interaction with people you “feel” you have to be on all the time.

My suggestion to you (and really just to me) is to turn off to be on. It is an oxymoron, it doesn’t make sense. But what people need most when they interact with you…is a bright you. Not dim and burning out. They need you to turn off so when you are on, you are bright and alive.

Start slow. I have for several months began to take a day where all technology (texting, twittering, facebook, emails, tvs, etc) gets turned off. Don’t just put them away…you will still hear the beep and the fan running. My goal is to bring that up to several days a week. It is an act of fasting from something that has become more important than food. My goal will be to fast a whole month from technology… thinking about June.

What can you do? Spend time with a book (remember what those are), your family (they would love to not talk to you via instant messenger) and your God (He longs to have a walk with you)

Go ahead try it… turn off. Because we all need to turn off to be on. I think I am going to do it right now.

Ps. I did really well. I only checked my Facebook, email, Twitter, texts, and phone seven times while I wrote this blog. Small steps forward.