Before I get started let me just preface this by saying that this is about me and my heart lately and not directed towards anyone or any group of people. OK, now that’s out of the way:
Unless you live under a rock somewhere, most people know that everyone is speculating and talking about what the new iPhone is going to look like when it is most likely revealed in the fall. The iPhone 5, or whatever it’s called – who knows, maybe it will just be iPhone like the new iPad was, already has people salivating and lusting after it and it’s still months away and no one even knows what the final product is going to be. Seeing that it’s from Apple, I’m sure it will be a great product, but I’m a little biased.
Nicole and I have been talking about upgrading to the new iPhone when it comes time for us to upgrade at the end of the year. We both love our iPhone and use it daily for texting, tweeting, Facebook, taking pictures of our kids, etc. and would never go to another phone. Then God started dealing with my heart lately about several things and this came up as one of them. So, here’s time for me to be honest with the 5 people who read this: I have Apple envy.
I currently have my iPhone and that’s it, the only Apple product in our home. I have wanted an iPad for years but have never really had the money or the justification for getting one. I also would love any sort of MacBook – Pro, Air, whatever – I am way beyond using a Windows laptop. I had become pretty frustrated lately with the fact that I have wanted one or both of these for a very long time and it just never seems to work out for me to purchase one, I was getting irritated. Not counting people being given them as gifts, which did factor in some, but there were several people around me who just entered contests on a whim for an iPad or MacBook and they ended up winning it. Yeah, great for you – excuse me while I punch you in the face and run off with your new iPad. I can’t even tell you how many of those contests I have entered and never won, so it irritated me. What was I doing wrong that I couldn’t win something like this and a whole lot of people around me are?
Now, I understand that some people are in different phases of life – single, married with no kids, older kids, empty nests, etc. – that allow them to be able to purchase these items or have more expendable cash to get this than I do, but that wasn’t helping the jealousy issue that I was having, and still do sometimes. But, I have come to understand, it’s a heart issue and my heart was finding my identity and my worth in these Apple products that will fade away with everything else physical in this world.
So, when the end of the year comes around and it’s time for us to upgrade our phones, as long as the current pricing stays the same, I’ll be getting an iPhone 4s while everyone else is climbing over each other for the newest model. You know what? I’m OK with that. In the end I still have a nice phone, I will have saved $200, I have a roof over my head, an amazing family that loves me, and a God who cares enough for me that He supplies all my NEEDS. I want my heart to be found in Kingdom minded things and not found in my iPhone.
Are you going to get the new iPhone?
Where is your treasure right now and how has it impacted your heart?
Phenomenal post. I applaud your ability to be so gut-level honest. For me, it’s very predictable. Once I got the iPad, I thought it’d be the greatest thing ever, and that I’d be so happy. What it’s forced me to do is be so much more intentional about how I spend my time with my family while I’m at home. It’s so easy to zone out, get absorbed into iPad land, but God really checked my heart. I’m forcing myself to use it less, to use it for the purposes it serves to make me productive, not entertained.
As for the new iPhone, I’d like to go to the 5, not sure if it’ll work out or now. I dig Siri, and I like the idea of a phone that isn’t ALL glass… if the rumors prove to be true.
Thanks for challenging me… and for not punching me (or the other people…) in the face.
AJ
Thanks for the encouragement. Your punch is coming….but it’s a surprise!
Great blog, Brandon. I swore I’d never become one of “those” people and then when I got my 4s and had to go to the Apple store and deal with some of the snottiest people in the business, I remembered I’m still me — just with a nice phone
I will be sticking with my iPhone 4s when the new one comes out…I won’t upgrade for a very very long time. And if I ever won an iPad, I’d give it to you — but then my husband would punch you so that probably wouldn’t work out for the best.
While the gift would be tempting I would rather not be punched by your husband, he is much bigger than me
I’m very familiar with Apple envy. We are an all Apple household. Our biggest “fight” was about me having an iphone while the Mr. (and IT and tech guy) did not have a smartphone. I surprised him with an iPhone 4 for Father’s Day. We have owned a couple different apple products- the mac mini just didn’t get used when we have our own laptops, and we traded out the apple tv for a roku. Everything else has been a great fit for us. The iPad gets used the most by the children and for scriptures at church. I don’t have an interest in upgrading to the iPhone 5, I’m quite happy with the 4 in a great case- so the glass doesn’t worry me. The Trident Cyclops 2 & Lifeproof are my favorites.
Brandon, you could have easily just been reading my mind and heart! Thank you! Somehow it helps tremendously to know I have another out there fighting some of the same battles. God bless!
i have become the person that wants to punch the others in the face and run with their new apple technology once they have acquired it!!!! my treasure needs to be stored up in heaven where it won’t see rust or decay, man…how convicted i feel right now!!!! i have been pining for an apple macwhatever for quite some time now. thanks for this post, very on point, very funny, and for me thought provoking!