I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 NRSV

Yesterday morning, our internet went out. It seems a tree fell somewhere and took the line down with it. While the temporary loss was no tragedy, it did cause some significant impact on my plans for the day, including posting to the Cafe. Each new project I attempted revealed a greater reliance upon my technological connection. It was a glaring absence from my daily life, and a mild epiphany regarding my level of dependence. Cut off from my internet connection, I felt profoundly cut off from my life.

It is amazing how easily we become dependent upon the conveniences in our lives. Take one away, and we begin to feel like we cannot function. It is this reliance that fuels our willingness to pay for access, and our constant connection to our smartphones and devices. The technology is woven into our lives, making us feel empty without it.

In my newfound, unplugged time, I found myself reflecting upon my technological dependence, and questioning the depth of my dependence upon God. I, or maybe it was the Holy Spirit, began asking if I was as aware of my dependence upon God, and if I would so readily recognize any disconnection. I talk about my need for God, but do I really affirm that need with my thoughts and actions? Do I feel as separated and confounded if I miss my time in study, prayer, and meditation? I wasn’t sure I liked my answers.

We depend upon many things to make our lives more convenient and effective, but we depend upon God for life itself. God is not removed from creation, standing back and watching it unfold. Rather, God is intimate, enmeshed in the details of every life, giving meaning to our experiences and joys, while redeeming our hurts and pains. We need God just as we need air to breathe. Our dependence upon God never changes, but our awareness of that dependence does. The deeper issue is our awareness.

Truthfully, I lived without the internet and other technology for many years, and I still can. There are also millions of people who live without it every day. Dependence upon technology is more of an illusion than we realize. Life without dependence upon God is also an illusion.

In Psalm 121, the psalmist knew where his true dependence rested. It was in God, and God alone. That is why we also declare, “From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.”