Earlier today I was doing some work, with facebook running in the background, when I heard the ‘ping’ from an I.M. It was great to catch up a bit with a cousin who is now living in Cairo, Egypt. We haven’t actually ‘seen’ each other in years, but chatted for a minute via world wide web. It brought back memories of our going to first grade together & when her family lived across town from us, rather than some across country & across the globe.
The web is an amazing thing & can make the world a bit smaller. I connect with hundreds of people each week from my office or home desktop, notebook, or phone. We have email, website, texting, chatrooms, blogs, I.M.’s, etc. We are truly the most ‘connected’ generation that has ever been. Psychologists say we are also the most disconnected, ‘connected’ generation. Funny, I can chat with someone on-line, go to the store & see that person & they may not say ‘boo’ to me. Go figure.
Sadly, in our busy ‘connected’ lives our families are also disconnected. When we go to Walmart, my family will text or call each other on our cells to see where we are…in the same store! While my family is connected technologically, we try to connect more so face-to-face! We strive to have meals together & family devotion together. It’s not enough to send/receive messages from one another. We need an ongoing relationship with each other. The beauty of family is they love us warts & all. We may fight but we will fight for each other!
People have an inherit need & desire to have relationships. That’s probably why the ‘social networks’ of the web are growing so rapidly. I suppose we need to spend some of the effort we connect with others in connecting with our families. Easier said than done, right? If it were super easy it may not be as valuable.
Even more important than our family relationships is the one with our Creator. I’m not sure of your ideal of God. To some He’s a Cosmic killjoy; maybe with a long white beard & a lightning bolt ready to sling whenever you mess up. Some think He’s a Great Grandfather ‘upstairs’ waiting to grant our every wish, sort of like Santa Claus without the red suit. Either one would be skewed thinking.
My experience & understanding of God is a Holy, loving Father. He desires a living, connected relationship with me. Matter of fact, to my shame, He desires it far more than I do! He desires this connection so much with us that He would allow His perfect Son to be sacrificed to make us aright. It often takes life tragedy for us to call out to God. He’s been there all along, but it takes something we can’t fix for us to ask for His help.
"Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.Yes, turn to our God,for he will forgive generously." Isaiah 55:5-7 NLT
Along with plugging in & connecting with God, I encourage you to connect with believers who will encourage & help you. Find a church home you feel at home in & can worship God as you connect together. If you’re unsure of one I’ll pass some along as you contact me.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport. Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
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