The Inconvenience of the Convenient
We are currently in our eighth week of life shut down. Our way of life has abruptly come to a stand still and we seem to be in a waiting game. During this time, we are realizing that too much of social media, news, etc. is not healthy. Some have spent their time productively accomplishing projects that have been in its own waiting room. Most are relying on social media, live-streaming and webconferencing strategies for our social lives.
In Genesis 2: 18, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” At the beginning of human history, Adam’s isolation was not healthy. Adam needed someone to do life with. God created someone for Adam.
Although I have used this passage for marriage ceremonies and counseling for years, I believe that we are getting a comprehensive view of its meaning. Not only is it contextually speaking of God placing man and woman together, but a broader meaning could incorporate that it is not healthy to be alone.
Generation Z has not known life without social media. We see that our culture has abandoned traditional forms of communication for the convenience of technology. Although technology has made life convenient for us today, it is no substitute. The intimacy that humanity receives in face to face contact cannot be replicated in any other format. A hug, touch, handshake, fist bump, face to face conversation and a laugh with one another can be so cathartic for so many. The convenience of technology has inconvenienced intimacy.
At this time, this article has only discussed the problem of our current situation. What can we do in light of the recommended restrictions? Here are a few ideas:
(1) Grab your calendar and start planning. Start planning your next vacation, the next time you will sit down and eat with someone, etc. Although you cannot set a date, you can start planning what you will be doing when you get an opportunity.
(2) Pray for your neighbors. Do you know if you go to www.BlessEveryHome.com that you can receive the names of your closest neighbors for evangelistic prayer? The sign up is free. Spend your time praying for those around you. You never know who or what you may be lifting up that day.
(3) Call or video chat with someone. Although these are not substitutes for face to face interaction, you should not be doing life right now without any contact. Call a friend, church member, family member and pray, laugh and check on them.
(4) Accomplish Godly goals. Set up a goal to read so many books of the Bible and then do it. What better way to fight off boredom or even some anxiety during this time than with God’s word. Spend time memorizing the passages that really speak out to you.
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david evans is the Senior Pastor for Springfield Baptist church. Feel free to contact David by visiting the church’s website: www.Springfield-Baptist.com. In the meantime, for Great Commission ideas check out other ideas in other blogs found on this site. Thank you for visiting!