by Blaine Beyer
It continually amazes me how technology and communications have evolved in my short lifetime. With the press of a button, I can see and talk to anyone, anywhere in the world. How incredible! Nearly thirty years ago, the public was introduced to the internet for the first time. Think of all the innovation that has happened since then. It now feels like I carry the whole world in my pocket. Vast amounts of information is available at my finger tips.
However, within the limitations of this pandemic, that’s what we’ve been reduced to. Digital, online, virtual. It’s quite the paradox. All of this access to everything the world could offer, locked behind screens.
Over the past several months, many of us haven’t been able to be in the same room as our loved ones. There are some who have not been able to leave their own homes. And while many of us are learning how to cope with digital communication, I can’t help but feel like something is missing.
I feel disconnected.
After dozens of Zoom meetings, FaceTime calls, and online conferences, I’ll be honest with you. I’m over it. I am sick of screens. It doesn’t matter how many people I engage with. It doesn’t matter how many meetings I’m a part of. It doesn’t matter how productive or enriching the conversation is. I feel a huge void after I hit the end button.
Human connection is essential. We know this from the very beginning of the Bible, “It is not good that the man should be alone...” (Genesis 2:18). The Creation story is such a testament to the notion that we were created for community. God created an incredible variety of things for man to have dominion over, yet God knew that Adam should not do this life alone.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for measures ensuring myself and others are taking the right precautious to stay safe and healthy. And I’m thankful for the human contact I have been blessed with over the recent weeks as our church has slowly reopened its doors. However, I miss the complete and total connection with my community.
My prayer is that we are able to maintain and foster our connection with each other throughout this time. My hope is that when we are able to have closer contact, we truly value the gift God has given to us in our relationships with one another.
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