So, it has apparently been a couple of weeks since I wrote a post. It is not for a lack of thinking about posts, but a lack of knowing what to write. Until today that is.
Earlier this week I had lunch with a friend that I went to Briercrest with. It was really good to see each other and catch up on where life has taken us in the 5-1/2 years since we last saw each other at graduation. We reflected on some of the good times we had together at Briercrest. And talked about where we had been in terms of job, friends, relationships, etc since then. And reflected on how, despite living relatively close to one another we live, we have not seen each other in all this time.
Since we had lunch I have been reflecting on things a bit. It seems as though email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. have made it easier to stay connected with people. My friend and I had communicated some through those methods over the years - our lunch meeting was even planned entirely through Facebook - but there is something that comes from sitting across the table from someone and really talking that we had missed in the recent years of it only being over the Internet that we connected. Something that was only found again when we sat down face to face to talk.
Now, for those who remember a post of mine from earlier this month about how I do see online community as being authentic, I will stand by that. I do believe that it can be authentic. But, I also believe that it can never take the place of being physically present with people. We need to have those people who can get in our lives and in our way sometimes to get our attention turned to what is really important. We cannot go through life with only online communication being our way of connecting to other people.
This point was driven home to me this Christmas. For the first time ever, one of my sisters was not here for Christmas. It just did not work out for her and her husband to make it here for Christmas this year. So, we used skype to talk on Christmas, and to see each other via our webcams, but it really was not the same. Seeing the two of them on the other side of the computer screen just did not seem the same as it would have to have them physically sitting at the same dinner table or on the same couch. It was great to "see" them and talk to them, and definitely better than not at all, but something was missing. And that something was physical presence.
I guess in the last while I have been reminded of the importance of having people in your life who give the gift of presence to you and who you give that gift to. Because it truly is a gift to give someone when you are physically present in their life - in the good and the bad.
Who can you give the gift of your presence to today?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
too difficult for God?
I was reading in Genesis recently and was stopped by a question that was asked.
In Genesis 18, God is promising Abraham that he would have a son by his wife, Sarah, by this time next year. Abraham and Sarah were well past child-bearing age by this time, so it seemed like it would be impossible for it to happen. Sarah is listening to Abraham's conversation with God's messenger and laughs at the idea that it would even be possible for her to bear a child at her age. In Genesis 18:14, God's messenger then asks the question:
When I read that question, I stopped there for a while. It was a question that challenged me and that I have been thinking about since.
I know in my head that there is nothing that is too difficult for God to do. But, it does not easily become something that I believe in my heart, something that becomes a part of who I am. I do not want it to stay just something I acknowledge in my head. I want it to become something that I act on. But, that change does not always come easily.
When you hear things from God that seem impossible, difficult, or crazy, what is your usual response? Do you respond with laughter and disbelief as Sarah did? Or do you respond with faith? Do you hold back and stay where it is safe? Or do you step out trusting God, even in the midst of fear?
Sarah did go on to have a child, just as had been promised. I wonder if sometimes she looked back and wondered if that year between being told she would have a child and that child being born would have been different if she had believed God's messenger from the beginning. I know I can think of times in my life where, when I look back now, I wonder if it would have been different if I had believed God and trusted Him right from the beginning. But, I am also realizing that I cannot go back and change them; all I can do is learn from them for the next time. So that next time I believe God right from the start.
In Genesis 18, God is promising Abraham that he would have a son by his wife, Sarah, by this time next year. Abraham and Sarah were well past child-bearing age by this time, so it seemed like it would be impossible for it to happen. Sarah is listening to Abraham's conversation with God's messenger and laughs at the idea that it would even be possible for her to bear a child at her age. In Genesis 18:14, God's messenger then asks the question:
"Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" (NASB)
When I read that question, I stopped there for a while. It was a question that challenged me and that I have been thinking about since.
I know in my head that there is nothing that is too difficult for God to do. But, it does not easily become something that I believe in my heart, something that becomes a part of who I am. I do not want it to stay just something I acknowledge in my head. I want it to become something that I act on. But, that change does not always come easily.
When you hear things from God that seem impossible, difficult, or crazy, what is your usual response? Do you respond with laughter and disbelief as Sarah did? Or do you respond with faith? Do you hold back and stay where it is safe? Or do you step out trusting God, even in the midst of fear?
"Is anything too difficult for God?" (Genesis 18:14, NASB)
Sarah did go on to have a child, just as had been promised. I wonder if sometimes she looked back and wondered if that year between being told she would have a child and that child being born would have been different if she had believed God's messenger from the beginning. I know I can think of times in my life where, when I look back now, I wonder if it would have been different if I had believed God and trusted Him right from the beginning. But, I am also realizing that I cannot go back and change them; all I can do is learn from them for the next time. So that next time I believe God right from the start.
"Is anything too difficult for God?" (Genesis 18:14, NASB)
Monday, January 3, 2011
online community? is it authentic?
As it seems like our world has moved more and more to interacting online, I have started to wonder about whether the online community can truly exist? Is it authentic? Or are we trying to convince ourselves that it is, even though it is not?
There are many things that have made it easier to keep in touch with people who live a great distance away from us. And that has its benefits. The family that lives across the country or is on the mission field can communicate much easier than was previously available. It is much easier to keep connected with old school friends - whether from high school or college or university. It is easier to keep up to date on the happenings of family and friends that live nearby as well.
But, can online communication really provide any form of community? Or does it make it too easy to hide what is really going on?
As I think about these questions, I cannot help but think about the interactions among readers that happen on another blog that I follow and comment on often. I would say that there is community that happens on that blog. People post genuine prayer requests and others pray for them, encourage them - do what we are called to do in community. There is a sense that it is a safe place to be honest and real. Over time an identity as a group has formed and it does feel like I am getting to know some of the other women who comment there.
But, does this replace face-to-face community? Community where people can be there physically for you when needed?
I do not think so. There is nothing that can replace having friends and family who will sit with you or give you a hug when you need it. We need that kind of community. We need for people to physically be there for us. But, I do feel that in our increasingly busy and spread-out, yet inter-connected world there is a place for online community. It can be real and honest and authentic. It can provide us the challenge and encouragement and prayer that we need. It just cannot be used instead of ever having people who we sit across the table from and talk about life with. That will always be needed. But, online community can happen and can help to keep us connected to others.
There are many things that have made it easier to keep in touch with people who live a great distance away from us. And that has its benefits. The family that lives across the country or is on the mission field can communicate much easier than was previously available. It is much easier to keep connected with old school friends - whether from high school or college or university. It is easier to keep up to date on the happenings of family and friends that live nearby as well.
But, can online communication really provide any form of community? Or does it make it too easy to hide what is really going on?
As I think about these questions, I cannot help but think about the interactions among readers that happen on another blog that I follow and comment on often. I would say that there is community that happens on that blog. People post genuine prayer requests and others pray for them, encourage them - do what we are called to do in community. There is a sense that it is a safe place to be honest and real. Over time an identity as a group has formed and it does feel like I am getting to know some of the other women who comment there.
But, does this replace face-to-face community? Community where people can be there physically for you when needed?
I do not think so. There is nothing that can replace having friends and family who will sit with you or give you a hug when you need it. We need that kind of community. We need for people to physically be there for us. But, I do feel that in our increasingly busy and spread-out, yet inter-connected world there is a place for online community. It can be real and honest and authentic. It can provide us the challenge and encouragement and prayer that we need. It just cannot be used instead of ever having people who we sit across the table from and talk about life with. That will always be needed. But, online community can happen and can help to keep us connected to others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)