Never before has there been a time when people were as connected as they are today. You connect through your cellphone, computer, television, radio, newspaper or magazine. The word FOMO (fear of missing out) is a relatively new term and has a lot to do with humanity’s drive to stay connected. And yet, there has never been a time when people have lived so isolated, alone, and lonely. Somewhere, there is a misunderstanding…
In marriage and family life, everyone is busy. Everyone knows many people. Everyone is rushing around at high speed. When people do come to rest — or rather, supposedly come to rest — it is not with one another. No, most of the time it is with technology that supposedly keeps us so connected. Looking one another in the eye and seeing and sharing each other’s hearts has become old-fashioned. Sitting quietly with and for one another happens rarely. Everyone is rushing around under the illusion of being connected. People today have become content with social media “likes” instead of the love of those closest to them.
Craig Groeschel describes it so accurately — right on target and far better than I could myself. Read this slowly, think about it, read it again, and do some self-reflection… Is he perhaps speaking about you, or your spouse, or your child? Is this not perhaps the situation in your family?
We’re busy, but bored.
We’re full, but empty.
We’re connected, but lonelier than ever.
We’re more connected online than ever,
but we often feel more alone than we can describe.
The well-known Leonard Sweet writes that as technology increasingly takes over our lives and becomes more advanced, our longing for deeper, more intimate relationships will increase. Isolation is a disease. Isolation is a problem. God, a relational God, created humanity in His image — as relational beings.
You were made to connect!
You were made for a relationship with God and relationships with other people. It is certainly not the face of a cellphone, computer screen, or television screen. You may think it satisfies. You may think it is connection.
Think again…
Written by J ohan Smith