Have you ever tried to go 30 days without using the internet? I rely on google searches like it’s nobody’s business so you can only imagine how difficult this past month in China was for me.
But as challenging as it was, it made me think…
If the internet didn't exist, would we still let people know we 'like' what they're saying?
If the internet didn't exist, would we still invite people over and show them pictures of our kids?
If the internet didn't exist, would we share?
If the internet didn't exist, would we personally invite 'friends' to be a part of our thing?
If the internet didn't exist, would we be this curious to know what's going on in the lives of others?
If the internet didn’t exist, would you remember my birthday without a reminder?
If the internet didn't exist, would people know that you followed Jesus?
If the internet didn’t exist, would we still tell the world about Jesus like we do now in our bios?
The internet is a great tool. Look, I'm using it right now to communicate with you so I have nothing against the world wide web. However, this past month has opened up my eyes to so many great people that I would’ve never met had I been secluded in my house on the internet.
My point is not to downplay the effectiveness of the web as a tool but rather to remind us that real life relationships with real-life people is a gift worth treasuring.
Here's a cautionary question we should all consider…Is the internet enabling and helping me foster healthier real life relationships with tangible people or is it pushing me further into isolation by numbing my longing to be truly known with a pseudo-community?
My challenge for us today is simple: unplug and love a real life person in real life today. Go out for coffee. Go to a museum. Cook a meal together with someone that you have not talked to in a while.
What jumps out to you from the list above? What are some things we do online that we should strive to do more in person?
