“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather
not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so
that our joy may be complete.” (II John 12 NIV)
Increasingly, we live in a world where digital
communication is the preferred way of relating to others. Texting, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
SnapChat are becoming more and more the means by which people relate to one
another, particularly young people.
Face to face conversation, though far from a relic, is not as highly
valued as in previous generations.
It is in this context that the simple desire of
John to talk “face to face” leapt off the page when I read it this week. And what added great depth to it was
his reason: “so that our joy may be complete.”
Like us today, though quite limited, 1st
Century folks had indirect ways to communicate with one another—primarily
through letters and messengers.
And, as the Bible demonstrates as well as other historic documents, they
used them regularly. Yet, John
indicates his belief that face-to-face communication is the best way to get the
fullest experience in our relationships with others. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians: “Because
we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel
of God but our lives as well.” (I Thessalonians 2:8)
Relationships are best developed by face-to-face
contact. In the presence of
another, there is a connection made that cannot be replicated from afar or via
social media. The world may
increasingly fail to understand this, but the Church must resist this at all
costs. True fellowship among
believers can’t be had via text or social media. Sitting down over a cup of coffee or a meal, taking a walk,
or working side by side sharing the content of our lives—the joys and the
struggles, the hope and the doubt—is the only way we will experience the joy of
the fellowship of believers as the Lord intended. For the depth of what we have and need to share, a tweet, a
post, or a picture, are wholly inadequate for the task.
Today, if you are going to communicate with
someone via your smartphone or computer, make it an invitation to get together so
you can experience the joy of sharing life with someone the way it was meant to
be shared—face-to-face.
© Jim Musser 2014
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