I remember a few years ago when it seemed like everyone I knew was complaining that their boomer parents were constantly on their phones and not being present during Christmas holidays. 

The current student generation were born between 2004 - 2007. That makes me feel a bit old as I’ve worked for Fusion since then! It also means they are digital natives. They’ve only ever known smart phones, high speed broadband and on demand TV. They assume constant access to information is normal and have always had the ability to record every moment to be relived later. 

But they are starting to see that it’s not good for the soul to be addicted to a 5-inch screen. They want to disconnect and be present. They are more likely to leave their phone in the bag, rather than a pocket. They want to read the paper bible, not a digital one. 

Ed Sheeran, big brother figure to Gen Z, put his smart phone in a drawer ten years ago and loves to live in the moment. To be fair, that’s probably easier when you have a paid entourage, but it’s still astoundingly rare. 

In his song “Camera”, he sings the sweet and romantic refrain, “I don't need a camera to capture this moment. I'll remember how you look tonight for all my life”. It’s a love song, and a good one at that. But as I listen to the yearning for fullness of life and being totally present to the person you are with, I can’t help but hear God wanting to say those words to a student generation. These are the ones who are waking up to the stark reality that he is real, he loves them and he’s right in front of them! 

Imagine him saying tenderly to his children whom he fearfully and wonderfully made, “When everything is black and white, your color's exploding. There's somethin' in the way you shine. I don't need a camera when you're in my eyes.”

Like a good Father, he sees each of his kids as if they were his only child and he loves them. 

I believe that as students disconnect from their screen addictions they will find full colour and texture in a loving God who has his loving arms wide open and says “welcome home”. 

 

Full song lyrics
 

You should see the way the stars

Illuminate your stunning silhouette

You're glowing in the dark

I had to count to ten and take a breath

You think that you don't have

Beauty in abundance but you do

And that's the truth (truth)

You're frozen in motion

A perfect picture in a frame

Some visions don't ever fade

I don't need a camera to capture this moment

I'll remember how you look tonight for all my life

When everything is black and white, your color's exploding

 

There's somethin' in the way you shine

I don't need a camera when you're in my eyes

You should see the way this night

Is unfolding beautifully for us

It's getting late, but I don't mind

We'll take this in until the sun comes up

And I think that what we have

Is like every dream I had came true

Lying here with you

A photo could not show

The way my heart is beating, babe

Some visions don't ever fade

I don't need a camera to capture this moment

I'll remember how you look tonight for all my life

When everything is black and white, your color's exploding

There's somethin' in the way you shine

No, I don't need a camera when you're in my eyes

And in a flash, it's gone

But I'll keep holding on

To every little detail in the fabric of the night

Never letting go of it inside

I don't need a camera to capture this moment

I remember how you look tonight for all my life

When everything is black and white, your color's exploding

There's somethin' in the way you shine

I don't need a camera

When you're in my eyes