"Love your neighbor as yourself." -- Matthew 22:39
The world is more connected today than ever before in history. We have Facebook, Facetime, Twitter, email and a myriad of other ways to socially connect with those whom we desire to know and interact. But are we connecting in ways which matter most? It is a great question and one we should consider carefully. Interaction via social media is great but actual time spent in the presence of another human being is still irreplaceable!
God created us to be social people and the internet certainly helps to facilitate some of our needed social interaction. However, the need to feel a hug or see the smile on the face of someone next to us cannot be satisfied through a computer screen or telephone. We still need to make the necessary effort to be in the same room with other people! One of the great wonders of the 20th century was the front porch and the friendships which were nourished over a cup of coffee or piece of homemade pie. These relationships were strengthened and developed by the real “face-time” given one another on those porches. There is no substitute for these “front-porch moments.”
Take some time this week to consider how much you depend upon the computer for the relationships you have with your family, friends and church. There is nothing wrong with the use of social media as long as it does not replace more meaningful ways in which to interact with those we love. Go visit someone this week! Take someone a plate of cookies and see with your own eyes the smile it brings to their face. Visit your friends or family and experience a little “porch time” this week. Rediscover some of the more simple ways we might fulfill the command of Christ to love one another!
Pastor James
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