Connected....But Not Really

You know, I remember a time without internet.

I know, shocking.  I actually did not go onto the internet until I was probably a freshman in high school? Maybe a sophomore?  And we certainly didn't have internet at our house before I was out of high school.  Or cell phones.  And guess what?

I survived.  Praise the Lord.

And one day I will be able to tell my grandchildren (God willing He provides me that beautiful opportunity) that I was alive before the internet and that information will blow their minds.  I can't wait.

And now?  I can't seem to live without it.  It's the easiest way for me to update my family and friends (but mostly my family) on what is happening in my life here in Prinsburg.  Whether it is this building project or camp stuff or day to day life stuff, they can log into Facebook and keep up with me and I with them.

But is it TOO convenient?  Too easy?  Perhaps too isolating?

Facebook is addicting.  And now I have this thing called snapchat.  It's fun, but doesn't really replace my need to communicate face to face with someone.  And I tire of trying to figure it all out.  The things that are suppose to make it easier to keep in touch with people are the very things that create a barrier.

Perhaps the barrier is okay, though, in some circumstances.  I suppose if people really wanted to stay in touch they would try.  And maybe I am old fashioned when it comes to community and communication.  I like to be able to sit across from someone, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea or something, and talk.  Like we used to.  In the good old days (yep, I just went there).  You know, before Facebook and Yahoo Messenger and AOL and Twitter and Snapchat and Instagram and Skype and Facetime....and the list goes on and on and on and on and on.

For those of us who aren't so technological, all of this looks absolutely insane.  From the outside looking in, I am just shocked that for being SO connected, and sometimes overly so, that people are still lonely.  That suicide rates are as high as they are.  That depression is such a huge epidemic.  And that value and worth are coming from how many likes you get or if someone comments on your photo or status.

Let me drop this on you: Jesus is your value.  Your worth.  He is connectivity like we have never seen.  All places at all times. Omnipresent.  Omniscient. All encompassing.  Personal.  Real.  Authentic.  Relational. He can give all of those social media things a run for their money.

I pray that this generation of high schoolers and college students and young adults would see their worth in who God has created them to be.  How many times you have been retweeted is not your value.  How many likes you received for a Facebook status does not determine who you are.  How many snapchats you received in a day or how much time you logged on Skype does not set the stage for how valued you are. YOU ARE ALREADY VALUED AND DEARLY LOVED BY THE ONLY OPINION THAT IS WORTH VALUE.  And that love has a name, and that name is Jesus Christ. Do you know?  You are already accepted.  Already.  His Word tells us so.  Seriously, take Him at His Word.

I guess we could all use a time of disconnecting...not from each other, but from social media.  Get back to the heart of what genuine, fulfilling conversation is.  Dive into community and communication with the same aggressiveness that we use for all of that internet stuff.  Find authentic relationships instead of the Skyped ones.  Do life together in person, not via someones computer or mobile device.  Seek out the community around you and develop friendships.  Be what the body of Christ is intended to be because deep down, we all crave community.  There is just something so precious about just being able to sit with people even if no one is saying a word.  Sometimes it's the purpose of sitting and being present that some people need so that they know that they are not alone. So that you know you are not alone.  God designed community to be this beautiful, interconnecting relationship.  Why take it for granted?

So, when was the last time you actually sat down face to face with someone?  I would challenge you to try it this week.  And most importantly, sit down and be silent before Jesus and let Him remind you of your value and worth.

His opinion of you is masterfully, amazingly, and uniquely beautiful.  He should know best.  After all, He created you.

Goodnight.