For awhile now, when Marsha and I go out, I have noticed a growing trend. Everywhere I look it seems I see people engrossed with their cell phones. At restaurants I have seen entire families all sitting round the same table, each one on a different mobile device. I have almost collided with people because they were looking down at a screen while walking and never noticed me. People can text/email/chat/tweet like never before! However, when I consider all the different forms of social media these days – from Facebook to Snapchat – they all seem to be more “media” than “social”. I know that there are a lot of ways that people can stay in touch with these programs; I love seeing pictures of my children and grandchildren! I think there are a great number of advantages to using these apps on a personal and professional level. At the church we have found many great ways to share the message of God’s love through social media – blogs, website, Facebook, and Twitter are some of the tools we use to communicate. But I’ve also seen that many people seem to use these same tools as their main form of communication – even with those they live with! Social media can be a wonderful way to stay connected with someone, but even at its best will never take the place of real dialogue. It is meant to supplement, but not replace the direct conversation you have with someone.
One of the most important things in any relationship is communication and a person simply cannot give their full attention to two things at the same time. Listening needs to be active, not something that passively happens while you’re checking out YouTube videos.
If you are having a conversation with a friend look them in the eye as you listen. If you are at the dinner table with your family, give your full attention to being with them. You might give thought to a “no technology” evening with your family where no one opens their computer or checks their phone for texts, the television is off, and no one is playing any video games. Does that sound too tough? Consider starting off with a tech-free hour each evening.
The great thing is this: The more you focus on your relationships (more than your technology) you will experience the benefits. The greatest gifts that God has given us are relationships with God and one another. Put the most important things first in your life and you will discover that life just gets better and better!
Dr. Bob Long, Senior Pastor
