Today's Devotional

 

 April 16, 2009

                                                                                                             

Subject:  Facelook

Galatians 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."

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I was on a community service venture with my cadets.  There was only six of them so I used it as a great opportunity to ask personal questions in my quest to get to know them.  While riding in my van, we had interesting discussions about things their family had done together and what this community service event was going to be like.  The whole while, one girl is constantly typing into her cell-phone, pda-like device.  This went on from the time we left until we had actually finished the community service.  Finally when we were sitting down to eat afterwards, as the rest of us continued to talk, I asked sarcastically, "hey ma'am, would you like to live with us on this planet?"

Somehow technology has given us more connections and yet we are more disconnected.  To get someone's attention is much tougher these days because we compete with the audience that our listeners may have on the other end of the phoneline, screen, or pda. It's crazy.  I was talking quite seriously to my Principal at school early this week and as I talked, he read incoming emails.  

Peter is talking about why he came to Antioch.  He knew that there was nothing quite like face to face dialogue.  In this case he was confronting Peter and he did it in person.  

Regardless of how much technology we create, we will never be able to replace the connectedness that comes from being able to look someone directly in the face or being able to shake a hand or give a hug or just sit around and talk with the people you are with.

Today, put down the cellphone or whatever your device is called and have a real conversation with someone.  Forget Facebook.  Have a Facelook.        

Carlen