Are You Wired?

Recently in USA Today, Christina Crapanzano wrote an article entitled, “New hazard: Driving while wired.” The article focused on how state lawmakers are trying to ban drivers from using so many electronic devices while they are driving.

How safe can it be to have a DVD screen where the driver can watch a movie at 70 mph? How smart is it to manuveur your mouse on the computer while maneuvering through traffic?

Drivers are now wired for sight and sound as never before. What happened to the good old days of the car sitting next to you with 3000 watts of power from the subwoofer in the trunk. Oh, for the days of just having noise. Now we have to deal with some taxi driver trying to reinact the chase scene in “The Italian Job.”

Okay, they may be good to entertain the kids during one of those all-night drives. But do drivers really need any more distractions? Do we need Xbox, PlayStation, Fax machines, computers, DVD/TV monitors and other high tech equipment? Car insurance is high enough without having accidents due to electronic devices?

Just ask yourself a question. Would you want your pilot to be playing with his Xbox as he makes his final approach into the airport?

Jesus said, “Come apart and rest a while.” How about getting in your car and getting away from the stuff–just spend the time in meditation and prayer. And if you need something to pray for, pray for the guy in front of you who can’t stay in his lane because he’s playing with his PlayStation!

Michael Catt

Dr. Michael Catt has served as senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, since 1989, and is the executive producer of the popular films Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous, which originated from the congregation. He has also served as Executive Producer for the Erwin Brothers’ film Woodlawn. He is also the founder of the ReFRESH® revival conferences (ReFRESHconference.org).

Michael is the author of several books, including The Power of Desperation, The Power of Persistence, The Power of Surrender, The Power of Purpose, Prepare for Rain, Upgrade, Courageous Living, Courageous Teens, Fireproof Your Life, Fireproof Your Life for Teens, and the Refinance Bible Study for LifeWay, as well as co-authored the Love Dare Curriculum.

Michael served as the President of the Large Church Roundtable, the Southern Baptist Convention as an IMB Trustee, President of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Preaching Conference, Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Convention, and President of the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. He has spoken at conferences, colleges, seminaries, rallies, camps, NBA and college chapel services, well as The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. Michael is the recipient of The Martin Luther King Award, The MLK Unity Award, and a Georgia Senate Resolution in recognition of his work in the community and in racial reconciliation.

Michael and his wife, Terri, have two grown daughters, Erin and Hayley.