BTW, TTFN, AWHFY?, LOL…and the sort

I never really saw myself as a text messenger. It just seemed to be easier to call someone instead of having to type out complete thoughts using the keypad on my cell phone. I used text messaging once in a while, but not very often…well, until recently. I picked up an iPhone a few weeks ago to get my emails real-time, have a planner, iPod, and other neat stuff all in one place…the coolness factor was a big sell, too. It’s a lot easier to type a text message using the digital keyboard on this thing. Funny, I recently had to increase my text messaging limit from 200 to 1500. I feel like a high schooler.

It’s pretty amazing to think about how far technology has come. It seems like not long ago, I was still handwriting letters to mail to family and friends. Now, I just type out a quick email. Look at how far cell phones have come. Not only can we send text messages, but we can check email and even surf the internet on our phones. It’s definitely a whole new world out there…a very digital one.

But, when I think about how cool all of this stuff is, I also wonder how far from organic have we become. Instead of calling someone or just visiting in person, we can just send a quick text message. Sometimes, I even try to call a friend to say “hi”, but I get some “lady” telling me how to leave a voice message. So, I try to send a text message. I hate to say that there are times when some of my friends don’t respond…it could be because they never received the message, or they’re just blowing me off. It’s easier to screen our messages nowadays. It’s easier to blow people off because we can hide in our digital world…one that isn’t so personal anymore.

In true community and fellowship, it takes commitment from each of us to be intentional in our relationships. We can’t hide behind the cell phones or the computers. We have to go beyond a text message sometimes to really show how much we care…how much we love. There’s something about a hand written letter or a phone call to meet up that goes beyond the superficial. There is a statement made that says, “You mean a lot to me, and I am willing to take the time to spend with you. That nothing will distract me from my attention to you. I am here to help, to encourage, to have fun with. I’m here to do life with you.”

Think about this: what if Jesus and His disciples sent text messages to each other all the time? Would Jesus’ teachings to them really have hit home? Would the disciples have experienced true fellowship with Jesus? What kind of relationship would they have had?

I’m not against text messaging at all. I just challenge you to take the time by going beyond KIT (keep in touch) and HTH (hope this helps). Focus on the quality of your relationships, and not necessarily the quantity.

TTFN!

~ by Ron on April 27, 2008.