We live in a world of constant communication. Face to face, over the phone, voice mail, regular mail, email, text, Facebook, snap chat, twitter, blogs, pictures, videos, etc. Professionals say that the key to relationships is communication, which is true, but to what extent? How much of our current communication is truely valuable in establishing, maintaining and growing relationships? Relationship communication usually requires or expects some type of feedback. When sharing our hardships, we are looking for empathy or sympathy in return. When sharing our triumphs we are looking for 'Atta boy's' and 'pats on the back' for a job well done. Responses like, "cool", "way to go", "that sucks", or "I am sorry", etc., are what we are looking for correct? The bible teaches us that the most important relationship one can have is one with Jesus Christ, yet how much of our 'constant communication' includes Him? Perhaps technological advances are all part of the devils scheme. After all, he is the prince of lies. The ultimate distraction to keep us so busy trying to keep up with the 'Kardashions', so that we forget about keeping up with Jesus? I believe it to be true and I believe that it is working. What does the bible teach us about eternal communication? More specifically, what does the bible teach us about Hell and communication? Simply put, there is no communication in Hell. None. Zero. Imagine being in Hell where there is gnashing of teeth, groaning, moaning (yours and others), fowl smells, fire and heat (yet it's dark and you're shivering) and you cannot even share your misery with others! You desperately want to share your pain, hoping for empathy in return (as empathy helps relieve a bit of your pain) and you cannot. You'd give anything for a "that sucks" or "I am sorry" but it's impossible. Eternity is forever and imagine spending the rest of your life to never communicate again. No pictures, videos, text's, snap chat's, etc. Perhaps it's time to put our phones away, open our bibles and get to know Jesus. He is the key to 'healthy, relationship building' kind of communication. Where he promises us an eternity not void of communication but one filled with Joy and Praise and Glory! Can I get an Amen? Amen!
To see this working, head to your live site.
Search
chris
Oct 25, 2017
Eternity and Communication
Eternity and Communication
5 comments
Amen!
As I respond via my iPhone! Seriously brother I couldn’t agree more!
Love this post Chris! This is the ultimate in irony, we demand constant "stimulation" via the information/conversation over-load aps while most are headed to place with absolutely no conversation or fellowship of any kind. Twitter requires you make your point in 144 letters/spaces or less - so not only do we want to know everything that is going on with everyone else, but you better make it fast because I need to move on to what the next person is doing. Getting people to slow down enough to consider the Gospel is a challenge. I love what I heard from a preacher recently regarding Bible Study time - he said, "we don't have time problem, we have a priority problem." Our culture, that screams they don't have time for this or that, is the same culture that will spend 3-5 hours a night on social media, sports, working out, or watching TV. I was that person, so I get it - the question is, how do we reach our culture. Jesus makes us fishers of men - so how do we fish for men in this culture, how do we "lure" the fish to nibble on the "hook" that feeds them the Truth? Help us Jesus, as co-workers we want to reach the lost of our culture with the Gospel.
Cullman a couple of months ago you made me give pause and bring attention to how my time was being spent. I was doing the 90 day thing and believed I was all in. Wow. Couldn’t have been farther from the truth! What I’ve learned since is the more time I spend learning the word brings an excitement to get back to it asap! You are so correct. How do we “lure”? Was it just your text asking me to join you for 90 Days? Was it the timing of the text? Was the “weather” just right that day? Is fishing for men similar to fishing for fish? I believe so. I believe we keep trying different bait. We keep casting a new line. And we keep praying to God that we get a “bite”!
Amen!
Great post Chris!
Steve...like what you shared about “priority problem”. I agree with this, but it made me think. For me time is a relevant factor. But let me explain...
I associate priority with a word we used a lot in the military (being a Corpsman)...”triage”. Didn’t look up the actual definition of triage , so please bare with me.
To me, as a Fleet Marine Medic, “triage” meant handling things in the most logical order. Aside from deciding what to cast away as a lost cause, we had to decide how to handle our potential patients in this manner. In other words, you had to choose according to “priority” who would get care first. If a guy had a gaping wound, you might
need to get him taken care of first, so that he didn’t bleed out.
The first thing I do every morning is talk to God!
That is my priority.
Throughout the day, I run into things that take me from that priority. Maybe not “unreasonable things”.....just “things”.Such as brushing my teeth, work, raising kids, etc, etc, etc.
Technology allows me to handle these “things” more efficiently. If I am more efficient, maybe I can can spend more time with God?
I don’t know. Just thoughts for discussion.
I do feel though that the old school, face to face communication is more effective. It’s just that we are progressing faster than ever. I heard stories from my Dad about not being able to go to school (or church) because he had to be at the farm, working. Technology has assisted farmers in being more efficient?
Sorry. Late. Lots of thoughts.