You can never go anywhere alone so you are constantly moving with 6 other people, literally, 24-7.
Have you ever tried being around someone for 24 hours? I’m not talking about your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, or BFF and such. I’m talking about people you didn’t know existed 4 months ago. Now multiply that experience times the 3 months I’ve been on the race. It will give you a different perspective on “community.”
Today, I just wanted to get away so my teammate and I walked to an internet cafe here in Manzini, Swaziland. When I entered the cafe, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I scanned the room for an open computer and noticed that every single person was on facebook.
At first I was a little disgusted but then I had a thought that confused me.
What if this is Gods will?
I know it sounds crazy but hear me out…
Have you ever wondered why face-book is so irresistible?
I mean, what is it about this site that attracts EVERYONE?
Black, white, young, old, Christian, Muslim, atheist, rich, poor, introvert, extrovert, grandpas in under armour and grandmas in stilettos.
Everyone is in!
Facebook has a choke hold on all of us and I think I know why.
I think the reason every single person at the cafe was on facebook was because every single person wants to be connected.
We all not only want to be connected to others but we need to be connected to others.
We live for connections and were created to be in community.
God created us in a way that we would glorify Him by finding great pleasure in our being connected with each other.
But somewhere along the line we strayed from the path. We started to believe that we were better off solo and replaced the ‘we’ with ‘I’.
But no matter how much we build walls and fences around our hearts, our soul knows we are missing something and it desires what was lost.
So we all flock to facebook hoping/trying to salvage what’s left.
Longing desperately to have connections with people.
Even if it is through a computer screen.
Joe Blow has requested your friendship.
Father Abraham has poked you.
The king of Swazliand has tagged you in a picture.
Those things bring us satisfaction.
Because its Gods will.
NOT to network socially (per say). But to be relationally connected to the lives of people.
I don’t know about you guys but I forget that a lot.
Here I am trying to get away and God reminds me that I was created to be connected.
And so were you.
I don’t know how much energy you put towards social networking (i.e. facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc.) but my guess is, if you put half of that energy towards knowing and pursuing others in real life, you’d meet some AMAZING people.
We were made to experience LIFE-GIVING, AUTHENTIC, REAL, IRRESISTIBLE, MIND-BLOWING relationships with people.
My hope though is that we don’t limit our connections to a computer screen because we were made for so much more.
Why do you think we are so obsessed with each others lives on facebook but could care less in real life? This kind of baffles me so I’d like to get your thoughts. Also…
What is the biggest obstacle between you and authentic community?
What are some ways you can connect to real life people this week?
If you have facebook [especially you anonymous/embarrassed-to-comment commenters],it would mean a lot to me if you connected with me by ‘liking’ my facebook page. It’ll take 2 seconds and I’d honestly really appreciate it. Thanks.
