It wasn’t too long ago that cell phone calls were reserved for an emergency and people who were trying to look important. I’ll never forget my first “demo phone” given to me by the new cell phone company. I could hardly wait to get into my car to make phone call… I felt like Edison shouting through a new invention… like Ralphie on Christmas morning opening up a shiny new Red Rider BB Gun… like Luke Skywalker discovering the ability to harness the power of the universe through “the force”. Yeah… it was electrifying.
Fast forward almost 20 years… now I sit in a love-hate relationship with my pocket sized super computer that also happens to make phone calls. Let me explain… I love the technology and that it brings the world right to my fingertips, but I am coming to dislike the distance it’s creating among us.
Texting, emailing, twittering, facebooking, updating, and poking people is a dangerous place to attempt to build relationships. We find false bravado behind the keyboard and miss the ever important presence of others around us. Where these devices began as a great idea to connect more often to those we care about… it can do quite the opposite.
Why go see them?… you’ve been “chatting” with them for weeks. right? For most users, the overall talk time is decreasing while the data time is increasing.
Ever wonder if Jesus would have opted to text his disciples after the resurrection? ”Hey guys, got caught up conquering hell… won’t make it to the upper room. Ya’ll be good and go tell ‘em bout me.”
I doubt it.
Jesus Christ came and built relationships the hard way… he spent time with people. He actually sat down and ate with outcasts, disenfranchised, frustrated, and shunned people. It’s tough to build a relationship and maintain a relationship with people through a cell phone.
Here’s my 3 basic wish list items for my little phone:
- Adopt a worldwide sarcasm font. That way people understand when we’re being ridiculous.
- Eliminate texting (typing) and driving. I am deeply grieved to see families torn apart by a one car accident because the one text message couldn’t wait.
- Create an “I’m away” message for my text service. Just because my phone is on doesn’t mean I have to answer it. Chill out. (oh and I know… I can turn it off )
Let’s begin building relationships… face to face and stop trying to make disciples through text messages.
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