I remember my first cell phone. As a matter of fact, I use it in my classroom for “phone” conversations in Spanish. The kids hoot when I show it to them. It was a Nokia bar phone. The numbers are so tiny and the display about an inch square. Not nearly enough by today’s standards. But it did the job. It called people. From anywhere. Or nearly.

Back then the abundance of cell towers wasn’t quite what it is now and often coverage was limited. There was no such thing as unlimited service or unlimited data. What was data? Only Blackberrys really used data and only rich people or very technologically advanced people had Blackberrys. My family didn’t qualify in either category.

I remember the debate in our family when we finally switched to unlimited data. We had five lines, three of them used by teens. My husband and I barely got any data when we had our limited plan. Eventually, the prices came down enough for us to take the plunge. I was finally able to check my email outside of wifi. Or use the navigation app.

I think we Christians often forget that our access to God comes with an unlimited plan. We harken back to the days when data was limited. We only pray within the confines of our own homes. We read the Bible at church. We give him praise during the song service. But when Jesus ascended to the Heavens, He granted us free and limitless access to God, the Father.

We don’t need wifi to talk to God or to approach his throne. We can “pray continually” as we are instructed to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. As the writer of Hebrews suggests, we can boldly approach anytime we are in need of mercy or grace. Forgiveness can be ours whenever we ask. We don’t have to wait until we are in the confines of a church building or in a small group. We don’t have to be kneeling at our bedsides or sitting in a pew.

¹⁴ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. ¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

How then will you take advantage of such a priceless gift? Will you remember to call on Him first when life’s journey takes a turn whether good or bad? Will you offer praise when you see a sunrise or ask for blessings for the friend you glimpse at the store? Will you pray for your family and coworkers and the world’s leaders as struggles mount for everyone? I pray that each time you use your cell phone, you will be reminded of the gift Jesus gave us all when he took away our sins at the cross, and make use of the unlimited plan of interaction you have with your Father.

Comment below on your favorite way to spontaneously connect with God. I think sunrises and sunsets are my best triggers for spontaneous praise.