Our culture (the world over, for the most part) has been bitten by gadgetitus. It’s symptoms are: a) an increasing need to stay electronically connected with the rest of culture; b) the pressure to keep up with the rest of the Jones who feel pressure to keep up with everyone else to have the latest gadget (read cell phone); c) a strong desire to find the best access to a strong signal provided by cell towers increasingly piercing the skyline of our country; d) an increasing and somewhat annoying refrain that usually sound like this: “Can you hear me now?” There is no known cure for this electronic plague. Increased power, speed and capability are provoking semi-spontaneous desires and spending habits of individuals to stay ahead while contending with gadgetitus. Commercial enterprises are collaborating to make all things possible in our brave new cellular world. Currently, you can talk, read, listen to music, view videos (even TV) and keep up with emails all on a device that fits into the palm of the average hand. There are also devices that can be attached to the ear to take wireless communication to a supreme level with the supposed intent of being hands free and thus making it supposedly safer while driving a somewhat less electronically sophisticated automobile. I once remember someone saying that the one with most toys at the end wins. It may indeed turn out to be more of a truism than we realize. Daniel did comment in his great prophetic book that in the last days knowledge would increase. The Lord also told Solomon that a wise heart was actually a listening heart. But I question if gadgetitus is allowing us to listen more or even better in these last days. And, unlike one of the above symptoms that causes us to keep wandering until we have better reception, God’s ability to hear and see us is not limited by any obstacle, according to the psalmist (139). Finally there is a word that comes to us from God through the prophet Jeremiah, “Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know.” And, no, God is not offering the latest gadget to improve your communication skills. All He needs is a humble and contrite heart.