We all know how amazingly disconnected Western civilization has becoming in the past decade or so, with the advent of social media. It was initially thought that being so [digitally] connected would lead to deeper, more satisfying relationships. But alas, that has not been the case. We’re more disconnected than we’ve ever been. I mean, when you think about it, how many neighbors can you name on your street or in your apartment complex? When was the last time you had a conversation of significance with a person you just met? How many of the people you were “doing life” with just 5 years ago do you maintain contact with?
My ability to stay in touch with people through the years seems marveling to some. My best friend and my wife (two different people, but my wife is my best friend too) have separately remarked at how amazed they are that I’m able to maintain so many relationships that aren’t an everyday presence in my life. I guess it’s why Cliff asked me to chime in on the subject, being that we’ve barely really known each other for a year but maintain significant contact whilst he’s galavanting around Australia!
Having been in ministry for over 15 years, many of which were spent working with students, I’ve come to know a lot of people - and many of them I feel personally invested in. So when it comes to staying in touch and keeping up with people, it’s quite simple for me. When I think of someone - and being a Christ-follower, I believe the Holy Spirit is the one bringing them to mind - I take a moment to connect. Life is busy, right? We don’t always have time for a phone chat, but what about a text or e-mail? It’s usually not long, perhaps, “Hey, you came to mind - hope you’re doing well, and praying for you.”
Because I believe that every life is valuable, and that God put people in my life in different seasons for different reasons - whether for my growth and progress or theirs - I’m genuinely concerned with the happenings of their life. Will they call me or shoot back this amazing update of their life? Probably not - they might not even respond. But will it serve as a moment to reconnect our lives, and perhaps encourage one another? Probably.
Whether it’s been 2 months or 4 years, when the people that mean (or have meant) something to your life come to mind, don’t just shrug it off. Reach out and connect. You never know if you’re the person they’ve needed to talk to for where they are or what they’re going through… or if they’re the person you need to talk through life with. How many times have you been going through life, doing your thing, and randomly wonder if anyone cares? Taking a moment to send a text, write an e-mail, post to Facebook, tweet or however you choose to “reach out and touch someone”, is taking a moment to say, “I care about you.”
Isn’t it amazing that the things that enrich our lives the most really cost us so little? Who is it that you’ve wondered lately, or off and on through the years, how they’re doing? Who’s the person or people that randomly come to mind that you haven’t talked to in a while? What are the moments that you think were some of the best in your life, and who did you share them with that you haven’t connected with in a while? What would it cost to say, “Hey, I was thinking about you… how’s it going?” What might you stand to gain?
- Bryant
Cliff’s Note: The key to staying connected in our disconnected digital age is intentionality.
This was a guest post done by my good friend, Bryant Jones, pastor at The Commons Church in Seattle. Big thanks to him for contributing to Cliff Notes on a topic he knows a lot about.