So this is connected?

As I am still working to get my new Blackberry fully connected, synced (sunk?), and working I think about how communication and the ways that we connect have changed in the past 40 years (my lifetime).

Let's see... we once had phones with CORDS that connected the handset to the base of the phone. On the first one I remember you also had to dial (with a rotary dial) to make your call until the invention of the 'push button' phone. THEN we had cordless phones. I know, still do. These cordless phones had a telescoping metal antenna at least 2 feet long (created by the same being that invented the light saber I think). As technology advanced the phone antenna shrunk.

Then the cellular phone:
The one on the left was attached to a base that lived in a bag. No texting, no browser, not even a camera! Hugely expensive to purchase and to use with little to no reception. Someone had to be IMPORTANT to use this phone.

Then 'IT' happened. We became a mobile society. Now we call, text, email, browse, film, take photos and work from our cell phones while we Twitter and visit our Facebook pages hourly. Technology has virtually eliminated our need to meet face-to-face with each other. In fact we don't even use full words anymore. I will never forget the first time I read an emails with this written in it: "ROTFLOL"... I had NO idea. I am much better now. Partially because I am a techie who 'gets' how these things work rather easily but also because I have children. I HAVE to keep up with things as they quickly change or my kids might be able to pass me by.

So anyway, since God designed us to be in community (and set the Trinity as the perfect example) I believe that this lack of face-to-face encounter with those we are 'connected with' comes at a high cost. We fall out of the habit of being in the presence of other and most importantly we lose the discipline of getting into the presence of God. In all cases we have even begun to lose our social skills. When was the last time that someone began texing or took a phone call during time that you were sharing with them? How much more do we do that with God?

Sorry Oprah, but He IS a jealous God. He LONGS to connect with us. He longs for us to DESIRE Him... and we are wired to worship Him. It is we who take on other gods and idols in HIS place with HIS time. Connecting with (loving) God and others are the greatest two commandments... how amazing then, once we get past the first few awkward moments just how great both feel.

The challenge is to turn off the business-as-usual of the day and fill up on community.

Take care-