Running the Rat Race on the Superhighway

I'm reminded this morning through my reading that we schedule ourselves to death.  The running from here to there and everywhere is a priority while the connections we make on the way seem to have lost significance.

However, with the popularity of Facebook and Twitter and other social networking sites, we can see that people are longing for connectedness.  I use a piece of software called "TweetDeck," which allows me to see my friends Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn updates as well as post updates to all of my statuses with a few clicks.  Its an amazing piece of technology and I love it.  And it has certainly helped me feel more connected to the world and to my friends and acquaintances.  But sometimes even reading through those posts feels like a chore I HAVE to do instead of a joy that I get to do.  I get caught up in the task and don't embrace the people.  That's a terrible mistake for a person like me who does professional counseling, by the way.  The people and the relationship with them is the foundation of what I do and on days where it feels like a chore, well, those days are the days I should think about a new career.

I remember growing up thinking that church was a chore.  Don't misunderstand, I didn't hate church as a kid.  As a young adult, I even loved going and being a part of the service as a worship leader.  But it wasn't about connecting with people as much as it was doing my duty (and getting my ego boosted!).  I recently went back there for Christmas Eve and while I was amazed at the number of people in attendance that I didn't know, I was even more astounded by the time it took to move from the front of the sanctuary out the back door once the service was over.  People were talking, shaking hands, wishing one another a Merry Christmas in spite of the fact that they see each other at least every week if not through the week as they conduct their normal small town business.  It was refreshing and I expect that had I been this wise as a kid I would have seen this phenomenon all along.  People long to belong and want to be networked to one another.

Relationships are so important.  How are you going to use the Internet and other technology this week to develop some real and deep friendships in order to support, edify, and encourage others?  And how are you going to shut off the Info Superhighway long enough to be with people without the distractions of our chores?  I want to hear your thoughts so please post them in the comments.

PRAYER: Father God, You are so Holy.  You are so Righteous and i am so unworthy.  Yet You have called me into your Family and have taken me in despite my weakness and my sin.  God give me the grace I need to do the same with others today.  Grant me the patience to see people's needs and to look past their noise.  Allow me to be part of a network of people who are common in purpose to work for the betterment of Your Kingdom.  Remind us to use technology for good and not evil, God, and give us forgiveness when we fail at that.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

READING: The Seven Seasons of a Man's Life by Patrick Morley - Chapter 3,  Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire - "An Insightful Moment Under a Tree"

LISTENING: "Ask the Preacher" Q&A with David Vaughan from Whitewater Crossing January 2009.