This is Techies Day.

The nickname techie implies someone who knows how things work—especially computers, cell phones, PDAs, and other technical devices. We tend to think of such a person as intelligent, though maybe weak in social skills or relationships. That’s because many techies wrap their lives in technology just about every minute. So they don’t have time for playing sports, singing, or messing around with friends.

While there’s no doubt that our lives ought to be balanced, we need to be careful about pre-judging others. Remember that God created each person, including you, with unique characteristics, abilities, and potential in every area of life. Every individual is strong in some area and weak in another. We need to celebrate each other’s strengths and accommodate each other’s weaknesses.

Several years ago the United Negro College Fund began using the slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” as they raised money for their cause. It’s true! God gave us our brains, our minds, and he wants us to use them, not waste or abuse them.

Jesus told his followers that they were to love God, “with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Using our minds the way God intended involves thinking (what we dwell on, daydream about, and focus on), studying (learning about ourselves, the world, and God), and doing (putting into practice what we learn). Our minds control just about everything else that we do—no wonder they’re so important. Want proof? Check out today’s verse.

You can be smart, intelligent, and use your brain without becoming a techie. Love the “Lord your God . . . with all your mind.”

If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

To Do

In honor of Techies Day, spend time with a techie today. You may want to grab a snack after school with him or her. Ask what he or she has been working on lately. Probably you’ll learn something. Oh yeah—ask God to help you use your mind for his glory.

Also on this day

This is National Carmel Custard Day (sounds yummy).

1955—The Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC-TV.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.