I recently heard someone say, “I used to wait till 9 or 10pm to call someone so I could use unlimited minutes, now I pay for unlimited minutes so I can call nobody.” Calling and talking to friends and family was part of the day. We made time for conversation. How often do we now send or reply to a text message only, if at all? “If it’s important, they will leave a message or send a text.” Ever hear or say that? We shutter at the thought of the phone ringing. Who is actually calling me? Making a phone call ourselves, yikes!
I was listening to a podcast the other day. They talked about the series finale of MASH. It was watched by a higher percentage of households than any other show in television history. It just beat out the televised moon landing. Now, I am not going to verify for complete accuracy. Point is much of the country watched these events. But then they got a little deeper. Is there anything that would draw that many households together? With all the streaming services, video games, virtual reality, social media apps; is there anything that draws people together like MASH or even the moon landing? They asked the other members of the podcast if anyone would care if we landed on the moon again. They said some might care, but it would not draw much attention as in the past. Would anything?
In a world of connection, we have never been more disconnected to each other.
Companies day after day, in one form or another, choose profit over people. We see lawsuits, time and time again, because companies took shortcuts in order to increase profits, no matter the cost to people. Decades spent at a company can end in an instant if a cheaper method increases the stock value a few pennies. People are told, “Its for the betterment of the COMPANY.” Work your entire life and one medical procedure can bankrupt you.
We think of our society and culture as the most advanced, intelligent, and progressive in the history of the world. Are human beings included in this advancement? We have advanced WITH human beings, but for human beings?
We live disengaged from people.
Ever go out to dinner or watch an event on television? We are staring at our screens or watching an experience through a recording phone. No calling up a friend, describing the moment, and talking about it. Nope. Here, i’ll send you the video. Text ya later. Imagination, memories, shared experiences; disappearing progression.
We have never had more “stuff” to make life simpler. We have never been more connected. Athletes, celebrities, politicians are all streaming their lives for the world to see. Yet stress and depression are increasing as life becomes “better” and more “connected.” Something is missing. I could feel it everyday as I pursued the world and all its temptations in my walk for the “better, simpler, more stuff filled life.”
“Connectivity issue, please contact your service provider.”
I walk into church each week. I would go every single day. I gather together with other believers to worship God. To worship our Lord Jesus Christ. Believers all around the world gather together to worship and praise our Savior.
Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hades will not overpower it.” (Matt. 16:18). The Church that Jesus is building is not just the local church we attend; it is all the local churches around the world. United together in worship of the one true God. An army empowered by the Word of God. The Word of God that brings us together in praise and worship with an entire church family of brothers and sisters in Christ. An everlasting bond. A bond of love your neighbor as yourself connects us. A bond that says people over profit. A bond not lived through a recording cell phone. An everlasting, eternal connection.
As believers, we walk with Christ together. We gather, connect, and engage often with our brothers and sisters in Christ in His Church. The seating is unlimited. No need to leave a message.
