Every weekday at 11 a.m., the routine is the same. Oklahoma Christian University students file into Hardeman Auditorium for chapel. They talk to their friends and catch up on the latest news. Then, when chapel starts, many of them pull out their cellphones.
The Oklahoma Christian Handbook directly states, “Students are expected to make sure personal electronic devices are turned off during chapel.” Even if that rule is seldom enforced, we as Christians and college students should know better. Yet every time I attend chapel in Hardeman, I glance down my row and see phone after phone.
Using cell phones while chapel is in session is disrespectful. Not just to the speaker, but to God. Chapel is only 20 minutes of our daily schedule. We can have 15 excused absences per semester. Is it too much to ask to put away our phones for a little bit and focus on God? Are Flappy Bird and Snapchat that important? We have plenty of time in other parts of the day to do those activities.
We are lucky that we have chapel at Oklahoma Christian. Even though it may seem like a drag day after day, we should be appreciative that the university has set aside a time each day for focus on God. It is a time where we can momentarily forget about school and our problems and praise the Lord. Even if it is only 20 minutes, we can still gain valuable information we can apply to our lives.
Since we were little children, we were taught to pay attention when someone is talking. With the advent of cell phones, it seems sometimes we forget that lesson. I think courtesy towards others is an important virtue that is often overlooked.
The people who are speaking in chapel have thought about, studied and prayed about what they have to say.
If you prepared a short talk for 2,000 people, would you expect your audience to listen? Some of the speakers are your peers. Give them the same respect you should give adults.
The text message from your friend who’s sitting two rows away can wait until 11:20 a.m. Put away that cell phone and take something meaningful from the lesson.
This school is one of your spiritual homes. It has many resources and programs to strengthen your relationship with God. Take advantage of them.
Jonathan Miller is a junior at Oklahoma Christian University
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